Guest Designer at 'Her Craftiness' -- "A Journal of Days" and Giveaway!! :)

Happy Terrific Tuesday everyone!!  It's another fantastic and beautiful day today -- A little on the humid side, but with the sun shining and the birds singing, it really makes it all worth it!! :)

Today, I have the distinct pleasure of being a Guest Designer for Lynne over at "Her Craftiness"...  I 'met' Lynne through another blogger (Kari) a short while ago, but have already become very fond of my sweet new friend!!  I hope you'll take a moment to hop over and visit Lynne and check out all of her wonderful creations...  I think you'll see that she's a person worth knowing - She's kind and caring and loves to share 'her craftiness'!! :)

Lynne asked me to share something with you with a "God Bless the USA" theme...  For my regular followers, I'm fairly certain that you know that isn't too difficult for me!! :)  I love anything patriotic, Americana, and red, white, and blue!!  And so...  With that in mind, I created a quick project that also gives me the opportunity to journal about some things I'm thankful for...

My mom once gave me a book called "A Journal of Days"...  It had dates throughout the book, but not a year, so you could jot things down on different dates and then look back at different events from year-to-year.  Similar to a diary, but more of a way to compare...  Since I think it's important to have a place to jot down things that you are thankful for -- answered prayers, praises, fun events, moments with friends -- I've wanted to create a journal for this for some time.  Lynne's invitation to be a guest designer and design something with the "God Bless the USA" theme was a perfect chance to do this.

The journal itself measures only 6"x6".  I used two pieces of chipboard for the base and covered it with some handmade red paper.  I then tore wavy strips for the flag stripes using my Creative Memories Wavy Tearing Tool and distressed the edges with caramel ink.

I cut a 3"x3" square of blue handmade paper and tore the edges before adhering it to the top left corner of the journal.  The stars were cut from the Plantin SchoolBook Cricut Cartridge (both at 1.75", blue with base feature, white with shadow feature), distressed and inked, and adhered with a pot dot.  My 'found' red button matched the red paper perfectly, so I tied some variegated tan hemp cord in a bow and adhered that to the stars with a glue dot.  The stitching was added with my metallic copper pen from Creative Memories.  I love how the copper matches the 'antique' look of the journal...

The "God Bless the USA" stamp is from the K Andrew Designs Stamp Art Set called "Freedom Isn't Free"...  Kristal has designed each stamp set with card-makers and crafters in mind -- Every set is perfectly themed for a large variety of cards and projects.  Additionally, each stamp set benefits charity!!  At least $1 from the sale of each stamp set is given to one of the charities carefully selected by Kristal.  If you are not yet familiar with Kristal's stamps, please take a moment to visit K Andrew Designs -- While you're there, do something nice for yourself AND for charity and pick up one of her AWESOME stamp sets!!  You'll be SO glad you did!! :)  **I am often asked how I get the 'wavy' effect of the stamp since this stamp is completely straight on the packaging...  Because the quality of these stamps is so wonderful -- nice and thick with fantastic 'stick' -- I simply place the stamp on my acrylic block in the wavy pattern that I want it to stamp.  When I take the stamp off the block, it goes right back to being straight!!**

Tying the ribbons onto the binder clips gives the journal a finished look...  I added some 5.75"x5.75" cardstock to the inside of the journal after distressing the edges with caramel ink, and my journal is ready to go!! :)

I hope you have enjoyed my "Journal of Days" today...  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments and I will get back to you (please be sure to leave your blog address or a way for me to contact you)...  Now, there's a little surprise GIVEAWAY for one lucky follower today!!  There are a few "rules", so to be eligible, please do this:

• Of course, I'd love for you to be a follower of my blog!!  If YOU have a blog, I'd love for you to add my blinkie -- If you do, be sure to let me know, so that I can add yours as well!!  :)
• Hop over to Lynne's blog, "Her Craftiness" and leave a comment on my Guest Designer post there -- Be sure to mention that I sent ya...  :)  I'd love for you to follow Lynne as well!!
• Leave me a comment on this post telling me something YOU would write in this journal (something you're thankful for, something that makes you happy, something you want to share)... ***CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A COMMENT***

Would you like to know what someone will win???  I'd like to send the winner one of these journals!!  I'll even let you pick the theme (especially if you are one of my friends from outside the USA)!!  OR...  If you're all about making one yourself, I'll be happy to send you enough supplies to create one of these yourself!!  Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you (your blog address or email address -- in safe 'scrapbookingwithamy at gmail dot com' format!!) or check back next MONDAY, July 18th to see who the winner is).  Thanks for stopping by!!  Now hop over to see Lynne by clicking on her button below:





Want to learn more about Kristal's stamps?  Click on her blinkie for more information about her stamps and charities that benefit from your purchase...




Until next time...