Scrapbook Saturday

So, the week before I went scrapbooking, I was doing my planning. While I scrapbook or do anything in my room, I put on podcasts or videos of classes that I've signed up for. 

This week, I decided to do episode #1 of Jamie Pate's "Loaded Envelopes" class. I signed up for it in December, but hadn't had the time to actually take it. I wasn't even finished with the first class when I got the idea to make valentines for my friends. Sooo, I fell down that rabbit hole! 

I spent the week making 5 of them--and when I say week, that really means a couple hours a day around my normal routine.

Here's the finished product--about 6-8" tall and 4/5" wide! Each one of these is very special since I used valentines from my childhood. I've made these so that they can be used as embellishments on a scrapbook page.

This one I made for Janet because...

...this one came from my brother. I thought she would get a kick out of it.

In the group shot above, the one on the lower left was for my friend, Nancy. I thought it was appropriate for her since she is a retired teacher!

I wonder why I didn't give it to my teacher--I'm wondering if I was sick that day or something because why else would I have leftover signed valentines? Anyway, when Nancy saw it, she commented on how neat my cursive was when I was little. This was probably 3rd or 4th grade. I laughed that Nancy noticed that--I didn't give it a thought! Once a teacher...

The one I made for Jeanne--top row, far right--included a valentine from her friend, Loretta. Considering she's 5 years younger than me, I have no idea why her friend would have given me a valentine. Her older sister was my best friend, so maybe Loretta had extras.

Anyway, I was finished--or so I thought!

This was the mess I had! Notice all the envelopes I made--upper left? It took awhile to sort it all and put everything back where it belonged. I can't leave a mess..

While I was still in the mood and wanted to make sure that I had something from this class for myself...

...I made this one that can go on a spring page. It contains a vintage tobacco card that I found at a flea market in Scotland. I was happy to use it. It's tucked behind the flower. Plus, these loaded envelopes are just pretty.

So, then I was down to the wire for my scrapbook planning and it was Saturday morning. I was finally getting some pages put together and then I got a phone call from Susan. She was going to be able to join us on the retreat after all! Of course, I was thrilled. Then it dawned on me that I needed another valentine. So, I pulled everything out and made another. 

That left me with just Sunday to get some layouts together. Immediately after Mass, I went up to my room. I started pulling pictures and papers out. Then it hit me. I've made all these cute valentines for my friends, but not one for Butch! We don't really celebrate Valentine's Day and haven't for years. Still, I made one for him since I was going to be gone on the actual day and thought it would be nice.  

This is the only one that I put a picture on. I wished I'd thought of that sooner. That would have made them even more special. They were very fun to make. I left it for Butch and told him not to open it until the 14th! When he did, he texted me and then said he felt bad that he didn't get me anything! I told him not to worry that I would explain later. And I did just that. I 'fessed up that he was actually an afterthought. 

So, there you have it---what I spent a whole week on. Next Saturday I'll share some of the layouts I made, 

Oh and as far as my planning went, this was the least planned I was for any retreat in the past 20 years! I literally just threw a bunch of stuff together with no plan or forethought. With the help of the tools we share and what everyone brings, I managed to get 13 layouts completed. Not bad since I'm also the tech person for the gang.