Simply Smashing Friday: Issue No. 8

(Insert TV Host voice here - maybe a little Martha Stewart-esque)

Today we will be having a new guest on the show, Samantha from Just Darlin', and she will be showing us how to make our own homemade journals! Welcome, Samantha!!!

(Insert the crowd applauding and cheering here)

Me: (Waving and smiling) Hey everybody! I'm so glad to be here today! I wanted to share with you a journal that I have in progress made out of a few simple elements that most hoarders of the crafty sort have lying around their craft room.

Martha Stewart TV Host: Wow! That's beautiful. What a great job you did on that! Tell us more about this.

Me: Of course! So, the first thing I did was to paint the kraft cardstock with yellow paint. I didn't do it neatly because sometimes messy turns out better. Then, I added the blue and tan border with the doily attached to the tan washi tape down the right side. The striped border is a cardstock sticker as well as the hot air balloon. I had to come up with a title and those letters are just some alphabet stickers that I had lying around. The last thing that was done on the cover page is the punched border. 

Audience: Ooooooo, ahhhhhhh!

Martha Stewart TV Host: Can we see the inside of this homemade journal now?

Me: You sure can! 

Martha Stewart TV Host: That is very interesting. I see where you placed some envelopes and what it up with this popcorn box?

Me: Haha! I used up some popcorn and I just thought that instead of throwing the whole box away I would use the front of it and place it in a homemade journal. It could be used for a movie night page or a girls' night out page. Whatever you want it to be. That's what Smash*ing is all about. It doesn't have to be the best or the neatest. You can just use the things that you have around you. You can even use a composition book. All you have to do is dress it up a little bit or you can also use an old hardback book.  The options are endless. 

Martha Stewart TV Host: Is this book completed? What would you change?

Me: No. I have several more things I want to add like a back cover, of course. Haha! I would also like to get more binder rings. The one that I have in the middle is too big so I would like for them to be a bit smaller. There is quite a few more pages than what I have shown you. A lot of the paper that I have isn't two-sided so I doesn't really make for a pretty picture. There is definitely a bunch of blank canvases in this book to make what you want out of it. 

Martha Stewart TV Host: Samantha, it was great having you on the show today. I'm sure you have inspired many people to create their own homemade journal or to go out and purchase a Smash* journal. 

Me: Thanks for having me. I loved being here. One more thing, I just want everyone to know not to stress about their book. If you like it, that's all that matters. Your personality should shine through your pages. 

Martha Stewart TV Host: That's great advice! Everyone give Samantha a round of applause. You can also find her creations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jdgreetingcards!

Audience: Woooooooo!!! (Clapping)

Me: (Waving and leaving) Goodbye!!

Current Projects

I want to keep everyone updated on what I am currently working on. So, keep your eyes peeled if you follow me on Facebook for new things!

Over the past several weeks I have been cutting up scrap paper in 8.5"x11" sheets and piling it all together. Why am I doing this mundane task you ask? 

...to create one of these. Of course, this isn't my journal but it is a bit of inspiration.

 [source: The Creative Place]

It's a homemade Smash*/art journal. I can't wait to compile more paper to throw into this thing. It's so easy. I have tons of patterned paper, an overlay, envelopes and a luminary bag from Relay for Life and part of an old popcorn box.

I haven't made the front or back covers yet. I can't wait to share the finished project with you!

Yesterday, I started to make Washi tape magnets but they aren't made out of Washi tape at all. They just look like it. 

[source: Little Lovlies]

These are so easy to make and you can find the very simple tutorial at the blog pictured above. I found this idea on Pinterest and I'm so glad that I stumbled upon it.

Other projects include coasters, magnets, Smash* journal (which I worked on last night. I finally got around to Smash*ing Relay for  Life that happened in June!), organzing, printing printables (which I am totally addicted to doing!) and there are some other random things that are thrown in there as well. 

To be updated on all the new stuff going on please follow my Facebook page. You won't be sorry! I would love to meet you!

...until next time...

-Sam 

Simply Smash*ing Friday: Issue No. 6

I'm so excited right now and I'm pretty proud of myself. One of the wonderful ladies over at SMASH*aholics on Facebook told me how to compress files.

I made some free printables you can use for your Smash*ing or Project Life. These are my very first attempt and I know they aren't the best out there but I hope you enjoy them!

I plan on making more because they are so easy and fun! If you use them please remember to give me credit. I would really appreciate it!

...until next time...

-Sam 

Simple Smash*ing: Issue No. 5

I haven't been able to Smash* so I thought I would provide some free journaling cards via different websites that I've come across.

As we all know the scrapbooking world has been taken by storm by Project Life, Smash* journals and DIY mini albums. I am in love with all of these things. I haven't tried Project Life but I love seeing everyone's journals on Pinterest and in different blogs. They are so cute!

Wanna know what else I love? Printables. Journaling cards. Ahhh! I can't get enough of them. I thought I would share some of the websites where I found some printables for free. Enjoy!

Digital Design Essentials

Traci Reed

Persnickety Prints

Creativity Prompt - Outnumbered (There are a TON of free printables on this site. You have to just keep on clicking. It took me forever to get through it.)

Scrapbooks Etc.

Back to Paper

MissTiina

Motherz Original

write. click. scrapbook.

One Velvet Morning (This is another website with a TON of printables.)

I hope you enjoy my little list of goodies. I do not take credit for any of these printables that you are about to enjoy. 

If you would like me to add something to the list please let me know!

I hope you have fun scrappin' away this weekend. 

...until next time...

-Sam

Simply Smash*ing Friday: Issue No. 4

Yes, I know it's Sunday, therefore the title of this post is a complete and utter lie. You can't trust me. I'm evil. Just kidding. I'm really not. I worry about everything and I'm really honest about things. I'm a horrible liar and I'm reeling from the guilt about lying to you about what day of the week it is. =)

Anyway, I haven't smash*ed in a while and I finally sat down Friday and Saturday, put my nose to the grindstone and smash*ed away! It felt really good to finally actually do a few pages that don't involve magazine clippings or just writing.

This page is about Apple Blossom. If you don't know what Apple Blossom is, you should inform yourself, here. If you click on that link, you will see the Grand Marshall from this year's festivities. MARIO "A.C. SLATER" LOPEZ! I thought I was a 13 year old girl when he rode by on the parade. He's a pretty big celebrity to come to the little town of Winchester, VA. Who doesn't love "Saved by the Bell," with Zack, Kelly, Jessie and the rest of the gang? I watched it yesterday morning, actually. It's so nostalgic for me.

This is the other page that explains what Apple Blossom is. The arrows that I put on this page are so old. They were so hard to get off the sticky page and the top arrows didn't fair well. I've also had this paint sample thing sitting around for a while. I made it into a pocket!

This was today's project. I thought it would be neat to see how this chalkboard paint that everyone is talking about, works. It's AWESOME! I'm going to be chalkboard painting everything now. It makes a neat page for your journal.

BEWARE: chalk is not the most permanent of writing utensils. Duh. It smears, so be careful of where you are doodling or you will erase your doodle. I just had an awesome idea about chalk. They should make it in a pen form where it's not so bulky. They make fine point paint pens....why not chalk? Doodling would be so much easier!

I guess if you wanted to preserve your doodle, you could spray it with hairspray. I know that works on charcoal drawings, so it may very well work for chalk as well.

The little bird and flowers are Heidi Swapp rub ons. I have no idea what brand the little black and white frame is. 

I just came across these free journaling cards on Pinterest that you can download and print out. They are so cute and would look great on a Smash* page! You can download them here!

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone! It's back to the grind tomorrow. 

...until next time...

-Sam

Last Week's Leftovers

Hello! people of the blogosphere! It's early Saturday morning here in Virginia and I am in front of the computer trying to print off a document to smash in my Smash* journal. I thought it would be fairly simple. You know a few clicks here and there and voila! That's how it's supposed to work.

No. 

Apparently, the printer had other things in mind this morning and decided to print only two pages of the three page document as well as printing it out completely unaligned. Oh yeah, it also decided not to print at all. 

I thought technology was supposed to benefit us but sometimes I think it just sets us back. Kids aren't even learning cursive in school anymore! Pretty soon, our brains are just going to turn to mush like last weeks leftovers and we won't be able to think for ourselves. 

I'm the first to admit that I am on the computer all the time. It's my job, it feeds my crafting obsession and I can rent a RedBox movie at the snap of my fingers. So, don't feel bad because my brain will also turn to mush like last weeks leftovers. 

Rant over.

I missed an issue of Simply Smashing Friday. Last night didn't really go as planned because life decided to throw a curveball and I didn't really have it in me to write something worth reading. I hope someone out there reads what I write and I'm not just wasting my time which I think is the case most of the time. Prove me wrong, people!

So, tonight I will be working on my Smash* journal. I'm pretty excited about it. I just added some new things to Smash* about like 2 seconds ago. I stole some of the 30 Days of Lists prompts. I wanted to join but it's too late and I'm cheap and not paying $8.00 to do that. Stupid. I really need to start carrying a small notepad with me at all times. Crap! I already do that. Why do I never write anything down?

Smash*ing Prompts

1. 10 years ago I was...

2. 5 years ago I was...

3. 1 year ago I was...

4. Note to my future self

5. Overheard (this one is gonna be fun...I love listening to people's conversations. So, if you think that's creepy then so be it but don't act like you don't do it.)

6. If I could do it over again

7. If someone had to pack a care package for me

8. What I would do with an extra hour in the day

9. Favorite memories

10. Favorite days of the year

11. Pet peeves

12. Bad habits

13. Quotations

14. Books

I hope everyone is getting ready to enjoy their Saturday and if you are on the other side of the world, I hope you enjoyed your Saturday!

...until next time...

-Sam

Simply Smash*ing Friday - Issue No. 2

There is a war going on inside my body with white blood cells, antibodies, antibiotics and all of those other things that fight off infection. I always root for the good guys but I don't think they are winning today. I have some sort of sickness, most likely bronchitis, that my husband gave me and I feel terrible. I tried to go to work today but I have been quarantined to my house - which I am okay with because I don't want to work when I feel like this. I have the immune system of a flea, thanks to fighting several battles of mono and strep throat. One day, I will get the chance to ask God why he gave us tonsils and snot. Ugh.

I do have to admit that being sick is a good way to catch up on some blogging. Today is Friday, which means that it is Simply Smash*ing Friday - Issue No. 2. I also have to admit that I really haven't done any smash*ing. I haven't really felt like it. Sorry, blame the sickness. I did, however, make a list for things I would like to do smash* on the inside front cover of my journal.  

Things to Smash* About:

1. Remember Myspace? Remember the bulletins that people would post with surveys? I'm gonna smash one. Preferably, this one.

2. This day in history

3. Photography Challenge - which can be found here. Which I will not be starting today considering the way I look.

4. Who/what inspires me

5. A blank map and color in the places that I've been

6. Hawaii/Honeymoon

7. New York - going in September for the first time!

8. Apple Blossom - Winchester's version of Mardi Gras. 

9. Our house

10. Our wedding

11. Home projects

12. Washington, DC

13. Favorite music

14. Favorite movies

This is my list so far. What do you use as journaling prompts? How do you determine on what to scrapbook or smash* about? I would love to hear your feedback and ideas! You can even steal some of mine! 

I hope everyone is having a healthy, happy Friday!

...until next time...

-Sam

Simply Smash*ing Friday - Issue No. 1

I don't know what I want to share with you first - the fact that I finally added some things to my Smash* journal or the fabric covered cork board that I mentioned in a couple of posts back. Difficult decisions here, people.

Smash* journal it is. That was an executive decision. I will try to update every Friday on my smash*ing. We'll see how that goes and it will be a series called Simply Smash*ing Friday. Clever, no? 

No. You're right. Oh well. It is what it is and I'm good with that if you are.

This is issue no. 1.

Let me explain the picture below even though its pretty self explanatory. Fortunes from fortune cookies. In my opinion, it's the best thing about going to a Chinese restaurant besides the egg rolls and the pepper chicken. Nate, the husband, really isn't a fan of fortune cookies so I take his cookie and his fortune. He's missing out. I think they are a delightful and fun treat. It's always fun to see what your cookie has to say even though it says some pretty dumb things sometimes. Silly, cookies.

 

CLOTHES! I love shopping - which brings us to picture number two. This would be my fantasy wardrobe page. I don't have the personal stylist or the money of Kim Kardashian to afford one and that's why there is a page dedicated to clothing. However, I am fortunate enough to own a Pandora bracelet and several Coach purses.

Me. I have to have a page about me. That's the whole point of smash*ing, right? I know you are looking at the first sticker and thinking, "What's with the cowboy dude and the guns?" I work for a firearms distributor and importer who specialize in replica cowboy and Civil War revolvers and rifles. So, that's what's up with the cowboy dude sticker. 

I have a horse and she is an American Quarter Horse which is why I'm a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. They send these things to me all the time and they are in abundance. So, I smash*ed it!

Everyone who has the pink Smash* journal knows what this page is - it's the "Highlights of Today" page. So, when something special happens one day, I note it here. The receipt is for the new Pandora charm my hubby bought me last Friday. =) I normally don't use my handwriting for journaling purposes because I always try to make it to perfect and mess it up but for smash*ing I don't really care! It's great! Ahhh, freedom!

If you aren't working today, like me, I hope you are having a great Good Friday! If you are working, I hope you are having a great work day! 

...until next time...

-Sam