First project of 2026

A Valentine for my Valentine. I created this one from tags I cut by hand (of all things to forget to pack in my craft bag - TAG DIE! Good grief, I use tags ALL THE TIME!) This one is an accordion booklet, which I totally love. The cover is a separate piece from the booklet, a design I borrowed from Amity Bloom. Check out her adorable designs on her You Tube channel here.

I used the most beautiful collection by Simple Stories from a few years ago called My Valentine. If they were to re-release this one, I'd purchase it again in a heartbeat. Anyway, here's the cover. 

Front

Back

Inside front and back with ribbon hinges and twine closure

There are six two-sided tag pages, held together, accordion style, by ribbon hinges.

Last page will hold a special handwritten Valentine message.

2025 Favorites

Before I get to the faves, I want to thank everyone for visiting my blog, commenting, and leaving such sweet messages on my Facebook and Instagram accounts. I was so excited to finally reach 1 million visitors and the next thing I know it became a mill and a half!! My crafty heart is so happy sharing my creations, and it's so great to know I've been able to inspire you. Wishing you all the best in 2026!

Disclaimer: I've not included any of the Halloween projects, as I have yet to finish the journal cover and add everything to the book. Which I will do when I get home in March. But there are some faves included in that project for sure! 

Mixed media tags Not only are the tags favorites, but so are the faux metal enamel tags. (Each photo is linked back to the original post with more deets and pics.)

Distressed ephemera dangles - We did this with vintage photos as well and they turned out so very cool. Fun technique and the end result is stunning. 

Vintage ID cards

Vintage measuring tape tags

Birthday card for one of the grands

ABC April, letter Y - Yesteryear. This is my grandparents in 1940. 

Grungy goodness - my first experience using Infusions. I love them!!!

Mini folio, one sheet wonder I love making these.  

Charms - faux resin: made from jump rings and glossy accents 

Paper beads - such a fun project.

Round mini-book for Scraptember2025

It was hard to choose just twelve (I realize there are eleven shown, but I'm pretty sure the Halloween Every Day Journal is going to take up one space on my list! LOL), and there are others I call favorites as well that I didn't include here, but you've seen on the blog and probably Instagram too. Only a few of my faves made the Top Nine on IG. Did any of your favorites make my list? 

Happy Crafting in 2026!

Mini folio, one sheet wonder

This is one of my favorite projects to make. The design is by idaizee (see her youtube channel here). I love her simple, yet impactful, ideas! You can use one 12x12 paper (cut into 4 pieces), or four 6x6 sheets for this one, which is what I have done here. This is one I have made more than once. It's so much fun to decorate. 

Tuck pocket inside front cover, with tags; pocket on the right, with tag.

Pocket on the left; tag on the right.

Tag on left for journaling, photo, or whatever; full size pocket on the right with pocket opening and tag behind.

Back view

Tags for the pocket pages.

p.s. Please forgive the awful photos - the lighting here is atrocious. 😒

#the12daysofjunkmas, last one

Well, guys, this is the final project I was able to complete for The 12 Days of Junkmas. I do have a couple other things partially complete, but they'll have to wait as I'm away from crucial crafting supplies and tools for the time being. It's so hard to know what to pack in the craft bag when you're going to be gone from the studio for so long. Sigh. I am very thankful to be able to bring anything with me though, so I'm not at all complaining. 

For this tag book, which will be bound with a ring instead of twine once I get home, is made from (can you take a guess?) tp rolls and paper towel roll! Naturally, I forgot to get pics of the before. Why do I always forget that part?? Anyway, each one is cut by hand even though I have a gazillion dies at home in the craft room. LOL 

Some of these goodies have been in my Christmas stash for years, and I'm so happy to have gotten to use some of them for this project.

Thanks for looking. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

#the12daysofjunkmas, cont'd

More fun with junk. This one is another piece made from the wheat thins cracker box. I used another box as a template (see photo below) which I love doing with acetate packaging like this one that held washi tapes. At some point I'm sure I'll use the acetate box too, but for now it makes a great template.