If you are interested in donating birthday or encouragement cards, please join me in making Cards for Cubs. You’ll be donating cards to foster kids who deserve to be encouraged, and receiving birthday cards.
You’ll need to register and send your cards by the end of March, 2025.
You do need to register before mailing your cards so they know how many to expect from you. The minimum cards you can donate in either birthday or encouraging cards is 10. And you’ll need to donate in increments of 10 cards. So you can donate 10 birthday and 20 encouraging, or like me, donate 20 encouragement cards.
If you have a big stash of birthday cards, they don’t need to be identical, please consider donating them, I know the kids will be happy.
Website is Cardsforcubs.org
How I made my cards. I used premade card bases I got years ago at Michaels that were 5 1/2″ tall by 4 1/4″ wide. I used color matched designer paper cut to 4″ by 5 1/4″ then took 20 of the card bases and glued the designer papers on top. I bought Angie Girl stamps from Unity Stamps link: https://tinyurl.com/46spmfffand stamped them on white cardstock then colored them with alcohol markers and copied them on my copier on white cardstock so I wouldn’t have to stamp and color them again. It makes it so much easier for me each year, as now I only have to cut them out and glue them to my cards.
I use slim foam strips https://tinyurl.com/4nn8ws9z to glue to the back of the girl images, chose where I wanted to place the girls, attached them, then glued the sentiments on the front as well. I also opened the card and ran a thin row of washi tape link: https://tinyurl.com/54e9zbpddown the right side of the card and added an encouraging sentiment sticker from a roll I bought on Temu, here’s the link:https://tinyurl.com/y2h7cubv
I hope you’ll join me in donating cards to Cards for Cubs.
I have decided I need a medication journal in alphabetical order to keep track of all the medications I’ve taken in the past as well as ones I’m currently taking. I’m keeping track of side effects and allergies, so that going forward, if a doctor asks me if I’ve taken a medication, I know that I’ve taken them as well as side effects so I don’t take them if I can’t tolerate them.
I had an old, kind of beat up journal in my stash. It should be comparable to these from Dollar Tree. https://tinyurl.com/yx26j6e4 . My journal had more pages than this, so I’m modifying my design to accommodate 120 pages like the DT journal. You’ll want to glue a piece of colored cardstock cut to 8 1/4″ tall by 6″ wide. You’ll need to trim the 6″ side so you have a 1/2″ tall tab by punching your tab first, then cutting the rest of the paper down to the bottom of your tab. Your first tab should be on the left top edge 6″ of the paper, your second tab should be however far to the right of your first tab that you want it, and so on. If you have a tab punch, you can make each of your punches with this. You’ll want to stamp an A, B, C on your tabs. You’ll glue your first page over the first page in the journal, then leave one page for the A, then paste your B tab over the third page in your journal and so on.
Journal with Dutch Doors:
The other journal I’m using to prepare for the femur surgery March 18th. I bought a journal on Temu link: https://tinyurl.com/3rnymjw7. I made dutch doors for six pages, by starting on the left side of the first pages using book PET tape link: https://tinyurl.com/5n7f7rfb. I ran the book tape on the left edge of the first page from top to bottom then went to the right side of page 2. I ran yellow washi tape https://tinyurl.com/3jvsvx5k matching the dresses about halfway in the page from top to bottom, then added three ladies stickers https://tinyurl.com/4r8kvwrz from top to bottom with the ladies being laid on the left side of the washi tape and having their skirts cover the tape. The center sticker’s skirt was too wide and I had to cut it out and find a matching sticker for the back of the page. I recommend you not going past the washi tape as it’s not easy finding a sticker whose skirt is the same but on the left side of the dress. To finish this page, cut the right side of the yellow washi from top to bottom, making sure to cut out the outline of the center dress.
You’ll add washi tape to page 3 of the spread from top to bottom on the left edge of the paper, then add matching ladies over the washi and then page 4 you’ll start your washi tape so it shows when the first page is laid over it. I think I cut an inch or so off the right side of this paper. This time although I did the same as before, I made sure not to have any skirts to the right of the washi so I could cut a straight line on the right edge of the colored washi. Do page 5 matching page 3 then lay a line of the book washi on the right side of pg 6 from top to bottom.
I am going to make a couple of journals, one for medications I take, and ones, I’ve taken that I can’t take and the reasons why. Over the years, I’ve tried so many biologic medications to stop the progress of rheumatoid arthritis, and I’ve had bad reactions to them. My current rheumatologist, (I’ve had a lot of them in the 40+ years I’ve had arthritis) will ask me if I have taken certain medications, and the name will sound familiar, but I can’t remember if I’ve taken them before, or if I’ve heard the name on television ads. The point of this journal is to make a list of all the medications I can remember taking so in the future if a doctor asks me about specific drugs, I can look in this alpabetic journal and tell them if I have or haven’t taken that one before.
I’ve been watching Amy Plans Things on YouTube and love how her journals are works of art. I have bought a lot of things she uses to make a second journal to record things like how many grams of protein I’m consuming in a day and how much water I’m drinking, as well as making myself a game of the books I’m reading and will explain this in the journal video I’ll be making in the future. The reason I’m concentrating on protein is that it’s necessary for healing and with this big surgery coming up, I want to be prepared physically for it.
Here are links to the products in the video. I’m not affiliated with Temu, I just like to buy things from them when they’re cheaper there and they’re not stamp sets or dies that originated with USA artists. Jere are the orders I placed. Most of the items purchased will go into making journals:
To make your cover, you’ll need to measure your notepad inserts, and you’ll need to measure the back spine of how thick the spine will be when all three notepads. My notebooks are 5 1/4″ tall by 7 1/2″ wide with a 1/2″ wide spine for 3 of them….I added 1/2″ to the measurements so you will make your cover 8 1/2″ (I made mine 8″ wide but I recommend making it 8 1/2″ instead) wide as this takes the spine into consideration and 5 3/4″ tall . Use your paper trimmer to cut your faux leather.
Fold your leather in half on the 8 1/2″ length and make sure you can see the fold. Then about 1/4″ from the top center, punch a hole with your Crop a dile Big Bite or a similar long reaching hole punch, then drop down another 1/4″ and make another hole, then make a hole in the center and then make a hole 1/4″ from the bottom center and then another hole 1/4″ above that hole.
You’ll take your elastic (don’t cut it off the roll) and push it from the inside second hole from the top out and then in through the top hole then out through the very bottom and in through the second hole. You’ll want the elastic to be tight enough that the journal folds in on itself a little bit. Make a double knot then cut off the excess elastic making sure you leave enough when you cut it to fix it if you made it too short and it won’t stretch enough to allow for the journals. You might also want one of your elastics to act as a bookmark or a charm holder so leave your top length longer as well after it’s knotted. Put one of your notebooks in your cover by opening it in the center and sliding the center through the elastic.
You’ll want to make two free standing elastics to hold journals in your book…Cut about 12″ long and knot it at around 10″ and take a second notebook and lay it side by side with the one you already have in your cover and open both books to their center and slide the elastic over both to hold them in place in your book, then make another elastic and do the same with your third notebook. I slid my pocket page inside behind the other notebooks.
To make the pocket insert for the travelers notebook, I cut two pieces of scrapbook paper from my stash. I initially made the insert too tall so I’m changing the height here so yours will fit in your cover. Cut one piece of designed paper to 11″ wide by 5 1/4″ tall (not 6 1/4″ like I say in the video). Score on the 11″ length at 2″, 5 1/2″, and 9″. Cut a second matching paper (my designs on the 11″ length are in the opposite direction of the other paper), so if you want both papers to face the same direction make sure they lie on top of each other with the pattern facing the same direction. The second paper is 5 1/4″ tall by 7″ wide scored on the 7″ length at 3 1/2′ . Put a bead of glue the length of the 5 1/2″ score line of the 11″ long paper. Then lay the 7″ wide paper on top making sure the center 3 1/2″ score line lays directly on top of the center of the 11″ wide paper. The longer 11″ wide paper has scores on either end, fold them toward the middle so they create a pocket on either end, then put glue from the center folds on both the top and bottom until you’ve got a bead of glue from the center stopping at those score lines. Put clips on them to make sure the glue closes them. Once the glue is dry, remove the clips and your pocket insert is done.
Cut a 10″ elastic cord and string whatever beads you’d like on it and thread both ends in it through the outside center hole of your cover then knot it inside, making sure it’s long enough for you to wrap it around the cover with a little room to grow, but not short so you can’t flatten it out. Make a double knot and check it again to make sure it wraps around correctly, Mine kept coming through the hole, so if this happens you can either make another knot, or you can untie your knot, put a 2 hole button on the inside of the cover threading the two ends through the button and then knotting it in place.
To make the journal cover stronger, you can cut 2 more pieces of leather 5 3/4″ tall by 2″ wide and use Beacon 3 in 1 glue, open your cover and lay one one of these new pieces on the left edge of the front of the journal gluing it along the top, bottom and left edge, then clip it down so the pieces hold, then do the same to the back cover by gluing the top, bottom and right edge down with the new leather. This will make an insert for your notebook covers to hold them more securely, as well as act like a pocket on both the front and back covers.
Keep in mind I came up with this then never checked the internet to see if there are videos showing it being made. I only knew I’d never seen them in stores. I’ve seen the weird straw toppers, but not these. Regardless, I thought it was a fun idea and I’m happy with the result.
Here’s what you will you need to make one:
An old ball key chain most people have in a drawer a couple of focal charms made for beaded pens two flatter bead one round bead plus a pokey tool of some kind to push the chain through the holes
I’d lay the order you want your beads down first, then start at the closure end (the end with the oval piece) and push the first bead through the other end of the chain with a pointy tool–use an awl, a pokey tool, a thin knitting needle, etc. Once you get your first bead on, push it to the end where the oblong closure is then continue until all beads are on the chain. You’ll need at least an inch of bare chain as the beads won’t allow you to close the key chain unless you have some exposed chain. You can try it with more beads and then pull off ones that don’t allow you to close your keychain.
In the end, I have two focal beads that are larger, two flattened round beads and one round bead on my key chain. I hope this gave you a fun last minute idea for a stocking stuffer. If you’re already making beaded pens, you probably already have everything you need on hand to make these.
Since I used everything from my stash, I have provided the closest matches to the supplies I could find. I wanted to make a lot of cards fast and easy. I think these cards turned out really cute. You can make a card in less than 5 minutes, even if you’re as slow as I am.
I started with pre-made card bases from Michaels and used a 6 x 6″ paper pad from Spellbinders called Dear Santa, no longer available. I cut decorated paper to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and glued it to the front of the A2 sized card bases from Michaels (similar ones linked below). Then I took one of the cardboard ornaments and used foam squares to attach it to the card. I added a sentiment with more foam squares and glued the fuzzy buttons on the first card with Glue Dots, stamped the back with the handmade by Sandy stamp, added washi tape to the envelope and called it done.
I found banners on Temu that would be so easy to turn into Christmas cards..You’d use a 5 x 7″ card base and glue one section of the Vintage Victorian Christmas banner https://tinyurl.com/5bnvmzsw to the front, centering it and adding a sentiment if it isn’t on the banner piece. You’ll still want to stamp the back of the card with your “made by” stamp and washi tape or put a sticker on the envelope.
If you use the Christmas banner https://tinyurl.com/bdex2ntb, you can add foam squares behind one section and attach it to the front of the card then use a sentiment and either some glittery brads or some buttons from your stash. Add washi tape or a sticker to the envelope and stamp the back of the card with “Made by” stamp.
Vintage Victorian Christmas banner: Use on a 5 x 7″ card base and each piece will cover most of the card front and you can trim the excess so top and side background is the same size. https://tinyurl.com/5bnvmzsw
I tried to find the fuzzy buttons on Temu, but couldn’t, sorry.
The nice people at Lifescraftart.com sent me dies for free to try out. I’m not affiliated with them so I am not paid if you buy products from them, but do get a
New customers can get 50% off following the info on their site.
To make the birthday card, I cut a card base 7″ x 10″ and then scored on the 10″ length at 5″ to make a 5 x7″ card front. I cut a 5 x 7″ blue mirrored card stock to glue to the front, then cut the background die on a 5 x 7″ matching blue glitter cardstock. I don’t recommend using glitter cardstock with intricate dies as they usually have an almost plastic backing on them and although the die cut through the paper well, the plastic was tough to pop out through the smaller holes.
I used Collall wet glue from Craftstash.us.com to glue the layers together and accidentally got some of the glue on the paper I was using to work on, and the back of the card got glued to the paper, so to fix this, I cut another 5 x 7″ white piece of cardstock and glued it to the back. I haven’t added the sentiment yet as the card was damp and I didn’t want my ink to smear.
I made a Halloween card using the mummy background die and I think I lost my mind, thinking somehow the mummy had cheeks I needed to color in…anyway, that card went into the trash after I showed everyone how bad I am at figuring out how to use a die if I don’t have a photo of the end result right in front of me.
To make a beaded pen, you’ll need to buy the pens I show in the video…I bought one multi-colored set of pens on Amazon and silver ones from Temu. Most of the items I bought were in a single Temu order that I’ve linked below. I’m not affiliated with them, but find the prices I get from them are a lot lower than ones from Amazon. (For my safety when buying from Temu, I didn’t download their app and bought directly from their website using Paypal to buy the orders. Paypal puts a safety link between you and your credit card information so Temu doesn’t access that.)
You can find pens and beads in sets, with everything you need to create beaded pens, and I did that with the Halloween pens, and of course you can find Christmas sets.. When you look to buy a bead or spacer, make sure in the listing they show the product on a beaded pen so you know the hole in the bead or spacer is large enough to work on a pen.
I unscrewed whichever end I could, but it’s easiest if you unscrew the top and fill the rod from the bottom to the top. I used a small silver ball I had in my stash for some of the pens where the beads I used didn’t seem to work well with the bottom or top of the rod (you’ll understand this when you make your own pens). If you use a pen kit, you shouldn’t need to use the silver round bead but I didn’t always use kits.
You’ll want to use your largest bead at the very top so the pen is comfortable in your hand. I recommend you buying the spacers with rhinestones in them as they add a lot to the pens in terms of bling. I bought the big purple flowers on their own and they are rubber and work well with any beads. The butterflies came in a set and I found the spacers didn’t work well next to them, but the small pink/purple balls did. I used some things from my stash and tried to add listings to those below as well.
Once you fill your pen stem to the screwed area, stop. It might be easier to stop just below the screwed area, but it’s so easy to take the beads on and off, you won’t mind it if you need to add or remove a bead. I had a lot of fun making these and ended up making a lot more. I hope you give this craft a try as I gave three pens to my girlfriend and she loved them…one for her college age daughter, one for work, and one for at home. The more of these pens I make, the more beads I seem to have in my original box… I don’t know how they multiply like that, haha..
Rest of items used in video: https://share.temu.com/Kkeranom2SANOTE: The only item that didn’t work with the pens because the holes were too small were 50pcs Zinc Alloy Flower Bead Caps, so don’t buy these for making beaded pens.
To add charms/tassels etc to the top of the pen using the right tools…use a tube bail bead and at least one O ring. Attach one tube bail bead to the pen with at least one O ring attached to the tube bail bead and then the bead or tassel attached to the o ring so it dangles.
Tube bail beads: I haven’t ordered these yet but I think the opening is large enough for pens. https://tinyurl.com/3x9ttxhe
I thought it would be fun to make tiny notebooks to carry in a purse. They turned out so cute!
Products you’ll need
Two 2″ wood decorated buttons: https://tinyurl.com/ycxeevj3 or two pieces of thicker cardboard cut to 2″ circle and a sharp object like an awl to poke holes for your button holes.
You’ll need four pieces of decorated cardstock to cover both sides of the cardboard pieces
2″ scallop circle punch or 2″ circle punch or 2″ circle die
Matching embroidery floss: 36 colors at Joanns full price $5.49 use coupons available, usually at least 40% so it would be less than $3 for the set. https://tinyurl.com/zwrzkp88
Tacky Glue: https://tinyurl.com/yev5yzds You can also get a smaller bottle at Dollar Tree…use any kind of glue that dries clear.
Decorative paper scraps
Three options:
1. Using two 2″ decorated wood buttons
2. Using two 2″ plain wood buttons and covering them with decorative paper
3. Use thicker cardboard cut into two 2″ circles then using a sharp object like an awl, poking holes for the button holes.
Directions for all three options: These are the same for all three options. Take a piece of cardstock, (you could also use copy paper,) and punch as many 2″ scallop circles as possible out of one piece of paper.
Alternatives: Use a 2″ circle punch or a 2″ circle or scallop circle die. The circles fit inside the buttons better as you can’t see the edges like you can with the scallop circle. Next, take your glue and put a drop on two side by side scallops near the edge and then lay another scallop circle on top, making sure to line them up perfectly with the one beneath. Make sure your glue is always on the same two scallops so the paper pad is glued on one side only. If you use circles, make a 2″ circle template where you make a pencil mark where you want two spots of glue about 1/8″ from each other then line up the first circle beside your template and put the spots of glue where your marks are on your template, then lay your first circle with glue so it is facing the same direction as your template and continue gluing two spots and laying the circles directly on top of each other until all are glued together. Once you’ve glued them all together, put a clothespin on the glue spot to make sure they are well adhered then let them dry.
Option 1, cut out two 2″ pieces of decorator paper
Option 2 and 3 cut out four 2″ pieces of decorator paper. Glue decorator paper to one side of both of your buttons.
Option 3: Once the glue is dry, use an awl and poke two holes near the center of the button where you’d normally find button holes. All three options: Take about 10″ of embroidery floss using all strands and starting on the underside (where there’s no decorator paper on option 2 & 3) and either side of option 1 and pull the thread up through the underside then down through the other hole, then back up through the first hole, and down through the second…do this at least one more time or until the thread is thick enough for your taste. (While doing this process, hold the one end of the floss tight so you don’t end up entangling your floss strands.) Then double knot the floss on the underside and cut off one length to about 1/4″ and put glue all over that side of the button and pulling the other floss straight, glue decorator paper over that side. Use clothespins to hold the paper in place until it’s dry. Take your other button and repeat the process above with the embroidery floss and gluing the decorative paper over the floss making sure to pull your floss tight. Clothespin the edges to make sure the paper stays in place.
I put some glue between my fingers and run it the length of the floss to keep all of the strands together.
Take one of your buttons and put glue on the top and bottom of your stack of cardstock in the same spot as where you glued them originally then lay the button on top of the pile with the floss strands opposite from the glue spots. Take your other button and lay it the reverse side of the first button and again making sure the floss is in the same spot as the first button. Use clothespins to hold it together until the glue has dried.
CraftingForAlmostEveryone.com 
