Way to go, kiddo!

 
 
Hey there...welcome to my sleepy blog.  Did you think I crawled under a rock?  I kinda did...we've been in holiday hibernation mode around here and this week was a rude awakening back to reality...I seem to be having a hard time getting back into the groove. 

BUT...I'm getting there.  And what better to help me out from under my rock than the January Papertrey countdown?  Today I get to help introduce some new products for January.  Today's countdown is featuring a new stamp set by Melissa Bickford called Way to Go, Kiddo!...and it's so adorable. It's full of adorable images and punny matching sentiments. Let's get to some projects...

First of all, I have a few super simple projects for your kiddos.  If you're like me, these sorts of projects need to be quick or they're not going to happen!   

Let's start off with some lunchbox notes using Way to Go, Kiddo! along with the new Lunchbox Note die.  This die makes it super quick and easy to create cute notes to tuck in your child's lunchbox or backpack!  I used images and sentiments from this set, mixed in with a few things from other sets.  The Lunchbox Note die coordinates perfectly with any of the 1 3/4" circle tags in Papertrey's stamp collection.  I used the dotted circle frame from the Take Note set and filled it with assorted images...the caterpillar and mushrooms are from Way to Go, Kiddo and the apple is from School Time. 

Here are the insides of the notes...all of the sentiments as well as the notebook lines are from Way to Go, Kiddo...the A+ is from It's Official.

 

Next up is a fun child's bookmark.  The sentiments "You're #1 in my book" prompted me to haul out my bookmark die and set to work on a colorful bookmark that my daughter already has dibs on.  :-)

 

I just love that adorable little caterpillar and I decided to create a caterpillar topper out of pom-poms to go with the whole bookworm theme!  I noticed on the forum a while back that there was some discussion about different ideas for creating a more sturdy bookmark...I'll show you an easy way to create a sturdy bookmark using the Clearly Creative cardstock.

 

Start by diecutting your book mark from cardstock.  I created a fun stripe pattern using the caterpillar image along with a stripe from Distressed Stripes.  Then cut two more from Clearly Creative cardstock.

 

I used my Xyron sticker maker machine (which is very handy for adhering tiny diecuts and stuff!) to put adhesive on the two clear bookmark diecuts.

 

I adhered one to the front of the cardstock bookmark and one to the back...it's almost like laminating and it should hold up very well...all using supplies I had in my stash!

To add a caterpillar topper, I simply used a needle and some embroidery floss to string together some sparkly pom-poms.  First, run the threaded needle through all of the pom-poms....

 

Then wrap the thread through the hole in the top of the bookmark and insert the needle back through the pom-poms, tie a knot and cut off the excess thread.  Add some google eyes and you've got yourself a cutie-pie caterpillar.

 

Next, I put the new Lunchbox Note die and Way to Go, Kiddo set to use in a totally different way.  I stitched several notes together to create a mini album.

 

This chunky little book is tied with a ribbon to hold it closed.

 

I diecut some of my photos into circles so they could be adhered to the part of the note that holds the flap...

 

Some of the sentiments in Way to Go, Kiddo are great for adding bits of journaling...along with the journaling lines from the set...

 

This die makes an interesting little album with lots of hidden spaces and fold-outs...tons of space for photos and journaling.  I used 5 note diecuts and filled my album with 10 photos and lots of little journaling spots!  On this page I used the tree image from Way to Go, Kiddo and combined it with Mini Scrapbook Series: Journaling Circle.

 

Let me show you a bit of step-by-step in case you'd like to make one of your own...they would make fabulous brag books to tuck in your purse or as a gift for Grandma!

Start by diecuting several Lunchbox Notes.  I used 5 for my album.

 

Stack them all on top of eachother, making sure the flaps are on the right side.  Now stitch through all of the layers to create the binding of the album.

 

I printed all of my photos....the squares are 2 1/2 x 2 1/2"...which fit perfectly on the pages of the album...allowing just a bit of border around the edges.  I used Photoshop to crop some of them into circles and printed them out at slightly larger than 1 3/4". 

 

The square photos can just be trimmed, but I used the plain circle die from my Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circle collection.  I just placed it over my photo and ran it through my machine.

 

Now you can embellish the pages as you wish using the photos and other diecuts!  It's a very quick, fun, and easy project!

And lastly, a card.  The tree image in this set is just too cute, and definitely not limited to kid-related projects!  I used it here to create a cheery card...

 

It was fun to embellish it with diecut felt flowers and buttons.  Notice the tag in the background?  Yup....a new tag for the Tag Sale collection!  I love this one with the embossed circles along the edges!

 

Well...that's all I have for you today!  Be sure to stop by Heather, Beth, and Melissa who will all be showing peeks of their new sets!  Nichole will have more on Way to Go, Kiddo!

 
Lunchbox Notes
Stamps:  Way to Go, Kiddo!, Take Note, School Time, It's Official
Ink:  True Black, Simply Chartreuse, Hibiscus, Pure Poppy, Momento Tuxedo
Cardstock:  Stamper's Select White
Dies:  Lunchbox Notes, Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circle collection
Other:  Green Boutique patterned paper, patterned paper from Fancy Pants Designs

Caterpillar Bookmark
Stamps:  Way to Go, Kiddo, Distressed Stripes
Ink:  Hibiscus, Momento Tuxedo, Versamark
Cardstock:  Stamper's Select White, Raspberry Fizz
Dies:  Bookmark, Friendship Jar Label
Other:  Clearly Creative cardstock, white embossing powder, pom-poms, google eyes, embroidery floss

Doodlebug Mini Album
Stamps:  Way to Go, Kiddo, Mini Scrapbook Series: Journaling Circle
Ink:  Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz, Aqua Mist
Cardstock:  Rustic Cream
Dies:  Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circle collection, Lunchbox Notes
Other:  Sweet Symphony, Turning a New Leaf, and Distressed Dots patterned paper, Fine Linen twill, button, gems

Have a Great Day Card
Stamps:  Way to Go, Kiddo!
Ink:  Pure Poppy, New Leaf
Cardstock:  Rustic Cream
Dies:  Tag Sale #3, Beautiful Blooms
Other:  buttons, Harvest Gold and Simply Chartruese felt, Pure Poppy saddle stitch ribbon, Poppy Baker's twine, patterned paper from October Afternoon