100 Day Project: 100 Days of All About Me

I just finished the most ambitious daily project I've participated in to date.  I still can't really believe I actually completed all 100 entries on a daily basis and on time, except for a short period during which I was on vacation and without easy Internet access. 

Many, many creatives participate in the 100 Day Project, this year it officially began April 3 and you can read more about the concept on The100DayProject site. I have done a few month long photo challenges like October Daily and December Daily but I've never fully committed to anything this long.  I'm not counting Project Life because I have never worked on that as a daily commitment.

When I saw that rukristin was coordinating a journaling project with a daily prompt emailed out to participants each day, I decided THIS was the year to join.  I need the daily push to get anything done, I think so the community feel of it was very helpful and I'm sure was a big part of my success.

I opted to make a handmade binder and travelers notebook style inserts but I highly recommend purchasing the book version.  I found out about the project very last minute or that's what I would've done.  It would've made things a lot easier, because to be honest, figuring out a way to cover up the text on the book pages I used nearly every day, so I'd have room to journal was the biggest challenge and one I wish I'd have skipped so I could've focused on reflecting on my replies more.

But I won't lie, having the chunky two inch thick book with all my completed responses after 100 days was ridiculously satisfying.  I've shared some of my favorite entries above, but you can see all of my pages via the hashtag #ktnlovesdailychallenges on Instagram and while you're there, it would be great if you followed me @ktnestingspot because I love making new crafty friends!

Traveler's Notebook Insert Binder Project Share

I have kept journals off and on throughout my life ever since I was able to write.  I have ring bound notebooks from elementary school that were no doubt done as daily assignments but nonetheless instilled a love of writing early one.

Ever since I switched to using a Traveler's Notebook format a few years ago, I've amassed a collection of inserts and covers but I often like my fabric covers so much that after the inserts are completed I don't want to put them on shelf for storage.  Recently I decided to upcycle a used book from my local library's sale, into a storage binder for the two family trips we took last year.

Constructing the cover was simple enough.  I cut the covers down to size and covered with paper, covered with contact paper for durability.  Eyelets were set into the spine for the elastic to hold the insets in place and another for the closure elastic. 

I decided not to cut down the book cover height, so that the extra space would provide cover for some tabs and it also gave me room to add a clip with tourist brochures that would otherwise be too tall.

The completed binder evokes the travel theme I was looking for and now I can easily find the journals for our vacations.

Recollections Traveler's Notebook Set Up for a Christmas Mail Swap

Along with an Envelope Flip Book, shared here: https://youtu.be/qB222mq1u58, I sent my friend a Recollections Traveler's Notebook from Michaels all set up for the winter holiday season.  I used the same Hot Buy paper pad, called North Pole Gazette by Craft Smith, that I used to create the flip book.  Both projects coordinate so that she has some additional goodies to use with this TN.

Here's a short video flip through the TN, and below are some pictures of it.

I love to add extra goodies like a washi tape card and stickers.

Inside the first insert is a little pocket with some journaling cards/cut aparts. I also added a gift shaped paperclip with another onto the first page.

The second insert I covered with this sweet deer paper with coordinating card to decorate it.

Here's the third insert - that's actually a double folder.   I thought this paper was perfect because her name is Noelle, get it :)

More surprises are inside the folder, planner stickers and memo paper with a cardinal design plus another insert, that sweater design is perfect for the winter season. 

Here's the last insert.  This black, cream, and red color scheme is different than my usual aesthetic, which leans toward bright, kawaii, and cutesy but this is more suitable to the recipient's taste and I hope she loves it.

Winter Wonderland Envelope Flip Book Project Share

Last month I did a fun mail swap with my friend Noelle and I had to make her a few handmade goodies to tuck along the other treats I sent her like some Bath & Body Works products in a scent she likes, pretty nail polish, and stylish boot socks.  Since it's me, that meant it was best to stick with a paper craft!

While I've been taking time away from blogging, I have been watching a lot of amazing YouTubers and one of my favorite crafty girls to follow along with is Sabrina Ann and I used her Envelope Flip Book Tutorial as a starting spot for this project.  I found the tip to add a gusset so you have enough room to stuff your envelopes with goodies for your pen friend to be especially helpful.  Since I found that hint improved my experience with assembly, I'd like to add one of my own.  I've made projects with prepackaged envelopes before and have found that I get a much sturdier and higher quality envelope if I made them out of my own cardstock.  I like using the We Are Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board to do so because it makes it so easy to make them in a wide range of sizes.

Hope you enjoy the quick flip through the Envelope Flip Book I made, the lighting is a lot better than in my last video so I think the colors are truer to real life.  The paper pad is by Craft Smith and it's called Winter Wonderland, it was purchased from Michaels when it was a Hot Buy and I snagged it for just $5! 

Here are some additional pictures too.

I created this pretty ribbon tie closure with a cut apart from the paper pad.

My daughter made a bunch of ribbon paper clips for her friends and I joined her by making a couple too.  The card I washi taped them onto is flocked and textured, very cool!

I added little stamped tags identifying the contents of each pocket, purely for cuteness factor.

My friend's monogram is on the front of this embellishment cluster.

I used a We Are Memory Keepers Tab Punch to make coordinating tabs for the second project I created to send, I'll be posting a quick video of that tomorrow.

More goodies like premade tags and Target's Bullseye's Playground aka the $1, $3, $5 section at the front of their store.

In side this last pocket I added a little note explaining what I think a Flip Book is and my intention behind making and sending her one.  I also used a simple paper banner paper clip to include an extra filler card.

Mini Album Project Share: Chipboard & Pocket Pages by Heidi Swapp

Hi Everyone!  Long time - absolutely NO BLOGGING!  Wow, I missed 2017 entirely, whoops.  I have still been crafting, scrapbooking, and keeping up on Project Life.  Here's a little mini album I made as a gift.  I hope you enjoy this quick flip through, and I apologize for the video quality, it's a little dark for my taste but I don't really know what I'm doing so this was the best I could do after four or five tries.  Hopefully, you can still see what a fun album it is regardless.