DIY Personalized Alphabet Book

My nephew, Tucker, recently turned one! A month or so before his birthday, I spent an afternoon taking photos of him for his gift – a personalized ABC photo book. My sister-in-law (Tucker’s Mamma) had seen this idea on various sites, but I decided to do it my way.

Here’s how:

First, I took photos of Tucker with his “stuff” – one picture for each letter of the alphabet. This was a little challenging with a baby, (and included a nap time break), but it was also very fun! Some letters such as “Q” and “X”, can be a little difficult to find objects for – but see all of our pages below for ideas.

Second, I added the letters and words to each photo using Photoshop. You could, however, use any photo editing program, or scrapbooking alphabet stickers, or you could simply write the letter and word on a label with colored pens and stick them to each photo.

Third, I had the (4×6) photos printed at Walgreens one-hour photo, then had them laminated at my local Office Max for only a couple bucks per 11×17 sheet. I designed a front and back cover (also 4×6), and had those laminated, too. The laminating will help protect the book from dropping, tearing, teething, etc – but, as always, a baby should be watched carefully with anything!! 🙂

Fourth, I cut the photos out of the laminated sheets (leaving at least 2/8 inch around the edges to keep them sealed. I punched a hole in the upper left-hand corner of each page. It can be a little tough getting through the plastic sheets using a hand-held paper punch, so I used an eyelet punch tool with mini hammer to give it some extra umph! Also, using the setting tool, I added an eyelet to the front and back cover for  durability.

Last, I slid each page onto a 2 inch binder ring, and double- knotted some brightly colored ribbons along it for a little extra fun!

Tucker LOVED his special book, and I know your child will, too!

Ahhhh, the beach

So many profound things have been written about the raw and pure beauty of the beach. All I can say is that God must have known that we’d need it. No where else on earth does the softness of warm sand join the cool freshness of rhythmic waves, shockingly blue skies, and friendly, cleansing breezes. The combination exfoliates weeks of tired winter skin, and washes away worries and fears. As soon as I begin to entertain thoughts of appointments, chores, working, or schedules, they are whisked away on a breeze and blown into the distance. I am able to recenter my body and soul to a natural place, a pleasant familiar place that I long to be – always. And the children too, they are beautiful in the sun. Healthy, clean, spirited and free. They don’t have to realize it, they just belong, simply unhindered. Running, splashing, digging, laughing, napping…being. I can only hope that heaven will be one ounce as wonderful as the beach.

Go play in the snow

 

It snowed this weekend. Really snowed. Large, wet, glorious flakes. You’d think that growing up in Wisconsin, you’d get tired of seeing snow fall, and, there are many Winters that we do – but this year has been different. There’s been hardly any snow up until now, and even these five to six inches are predicted to melt by mid-week. If it’s any indication, when it comes to naming the snowstorms, we’re only up to “Caroline.” I personally have always thought that if the weather was going to stay cold, sunless, and dreary from November through (sometimes) April or May, we might at least have snow. Snow brightens, refreshes, revives an otherwise dry, gray, and lifeless landscape.  Though it is physically cold, it somehow warms our world, leaving insulating drifts along roadsides and on rooftops; blanketing every branch and mailbox. It envelopes me and somehow makes me feel safe while I’m tucked inside watching from the window. My mama, bless her heart, joyfully indulges my two-year old, Della’s, healthy, adventurous spirit. While I sat snuggling William, my 8 month old, I watched as Grandma (or “Ma” to Della) and her little shadow made footprint paths in the smooth sparkling snow, erected a real Frosty complete with carrot nose, and whisked through the yard on a sled, with Della’s laughter and Jack the dog bounding behind. At one point I opened the patio door and snapped this shot with my iPhone, and it just seemed to capture the wonder of the moment. It made me feel proud to be a Midwesterner. A pride that Wisconsin is thriving with full, rich scenery and wholesome, loving families. It made me love my mama, and want to keep this vibrant memory of her for myself and for Della. It gave me a burst of much-needed hope that has wavered in the doldrums of Winter. Thank you mama, thank you Della, thank you Caroline, And thank you, Lord, for sending a beauty that could only come from the heavens.

Sending you lots of LOVE!

Happy Valentines Day 2012! I am not that great at sending out birthday cards, anniversary cards, etc. But, I do usually manage (and enjoy doing it!) Christmas and Valentines cards. I snapped this shot of my children (with the help of a jar of marshmallows), and adapted a conversation from piglet and pooh. I sometimes have a hard time finding the “right” design from popular photo card sites, so I create my own 5 x 7 jpg. image and have it printed at a local photo processing lab. The lab I go to also sells me envelopes for five cents a piece. Overall, it’s cheaper than most photos sites, and completely customized!