Bluehaven Studio

Mom's Birthday Present

I get my love of making things in part from my mom who did a variety of handcrafts when I was growing up. I enjoy making things for her because I know she always treasures anything handmade.

Sometime last fall I saw an Advent calendar made from a 24-section muffin tin. Small magnetized cardboard squares covered each opening with a small surprise in each section.  My Mom's birthday is November 25, so I decided a "Christmas Memories" Advent calendar would be her gift for this year.  

When I decided to make one for my mother, I used the basic principle from the one I saw, but I decided I would make small booklets to cover the openings.  In each booklet, I recorded one memory from childhood years to present. 

I decided to spray paint the muffin tin a bright Christmas red. I used old Christmas cards and tags to make the covers for each tiny booklet and attached those to chipboard squares which I had painted and then added decorative Christmas paper. 

I added a circle with each day's number to the front of each little booklet. For each daily surprise, I bought miniature Christmas ornaments and added a small Christmas tree to her birthday package. 

I wanted to add a larger booklet for Christmas Day. The tiny gift for December 25 was a miniature manger scene.

 

Since I only had 24 sections in the muffin tin, I got brave enough to get out my Dremel for the very first time to  drill a hole on the bottom right to attach the booklet for the December 25.  I also drilled a hole in the top for the gift tag and ribbon which made it possible to hang the "calendar" on the wall.  

When I started this project, I had no clue how many hours it was going to take me. I had a lot of fun making it and used more glitter than I have since I was a child.  It was all worth it when my Mom told me she was staying up past midnight each night  so she could open the next day's booklet.  I think it was the memories shared that meant the most, both to her and to me.

Journal Spilling

Bob brought in today's mail that included an intriguing package and asked me what I had ordered.  "Nothing," I replied. "It's something I won!"

I found an email last week in my spam folder (always check your spam folder) that I was the winner of a copy of Journal Spilling by Diana Trout.  

 

When it arrived today, I felt so inspired that I made a commitment to myself to write a blog post for the first time in almost a year.  I think that Journal Spilling is just what I needed to get me out of the creative funk I've been in recent months.

I was excited to win the book, but when Diana's package arrived today, I felt like a child on Christmas morning. I can't wait to use all of the amazing goodies in Diana's package. Just look . . .

If you have any interest in art journaling or mixed media techniques, please check out Diana's wonderful book.  You won't be disappointed.  You can also check out Diana's blog, Hub Bub, her website, or her Etsy store.

Thanks Diana for your generous giveaway and for jump starting my creativity and encouraging me to get back to my journal to "spill my heart."