It's time!! Be a Heritage MAKER!

Are you a photo stasher or a heritage maker?  

Photos aren't meant to be stored.  They're meant to be SEEN!

Preserving photos and memories in pages has actually been proven in studies to improve emotional well-being in many ways.  Click that link to see a variety of surprising memory-keeping benefits!

In fact, the best way to appreciate life is through memory-keeping.  Read more there.

And then get started right here, right now--just follow the steps.  It's time!  Be a heritage maker.

why photo organization is more important than you think

This post was updated 2022.

Have you ever thought about this?

Taking photos and then doing nothing with them actually disconnects us from the memories that we wanted to preserve when we took the photos!!

If organizing your photos is overwhelming, let me help!  Getting a handle on them is the first step to doing something with them.  Learn from my 3-part series, "Photo Organization and Preservation" and then tell me in the comments one or two things that were the most eye-opening.

Part 1:  Organizing and Decluttering, and their Surprising Benefits

Part 2:  Solutions for Storing and Preserving your Photos (and why they're not the same thing!)

Part 3:  Strategies for Consistency

Once they're organized, they're ready to slide into beautiful templates (or create your own design!!) where you can also tell the stories that belong to your photos.  

This is the INTERACTION with photos that we need!

I love the easy photo organization options from Forever.  Here's a quick overview--you'll see why I love it:

You can't choose anything better to do with your time (or money) than preserving your own memories, the traditions of your family, and your heritage!  And it actually has a lot of personal benefits, too, so it's truly self-care!

Here are two quick ideas for you to stop just amassing photos and start making something meaningful from them.

#1 Pick a memory-keeping solution you will love and do.  These three are fantastic options because they're all heirloom-quality products from a company with a photo privacy promise, so you can just pick the option you like best without worrying about quality or privacy.

#2  Work with a friend!  I host online events all the time to help people set aside time on their calendars to make sure their good intentions become reality!  You're welcome to join any of my events--most of them all free and all of them are fabulous.  Click here to see what events I have coming up.  

Or, if you prefer to put together your own group (whether in-person or online), you can always take advantage of Referral Rewards to get everyone started!

Photos have been shown in studies to increase relaxation and happiness!  Knowing your family stories--however that narrative looks--has been shown in studies to have a profound effect on children, from increased resilience and coping strategies to increased self-esteem.

So there's really no time like the present.  We all need what photos and memories can do for us.  It starts with organization.  The videos and resources I've shared here can help.  Just remember that it ends with this:

and most likely something like this

and definitely this

Once your photos are organized, they're ready to preserve, and you can get started right here.

You might think you're too busy or too overwhelmed to organize your photos, but figuring it out matters.  It matters to your heart and soul.

Who DOESN'T need photo organization tips?  
Pin this image to Pinterest to save and share!

Special Family Days: DIY birthday & anniversary board

I am really excited about this latest DIY project I've made using Heritage Makers prints.  As you've seen from other DIY tutorials I've posted, I've only used Heritage Makers scrap pages for my crafting.  This one is bigger than anything else I've made before, and this is actually made from a POSTER!   (Well, half a poster anyway.)

Look how cute!!! (despite the terrible lighting)

I know the photo isn't great, but this is a birthday/anniversary board (I've called it "FAMILY special days" on the poster), and then there are little wooden pieces with names and dates that are hanging below the corresponding birthday/anniversary months.  I made this one for my mom for Mother's Day, but when my daughter came home from school and saw it, she was really disappointed that we're not keeping it...  So I think I'm making another one.

Wanna join me?!?  Let me show you....

Total cost for this board is probably $23-$28, depending on how many "danglies" (you know--the pieces that dangle) you have for your family.  BTW, you will most likely spend more than this in getting the supplies, only because in some cases you use only part of the larger package that you need to buy, but it will come out to about $23-$28 for supplies actually used.  (Which is why you might as well make two!  And the Heritage Makers poster actually comes with two on it!  So why not?!  Keep one, give one away!)

2023 UPDATE:  Heritage Makers became YPhoto under Youngevity (which purchased Heritage Makers in 2013).  YPhoto uses only templates, so the creativity showcased here is no longer available there. Best-in-the-industry quality and permanent cloud photo storage with guaranteed privacy are required for anything recommended here by Photo & Story Treasures, so we highly recommend Forever.  

Using Forever's Artisan program for digital scrapbooking, you can make items similar to those shown here.  This video tutorial shows you how to craft with high-quality scrapbook pages, and this one shows you how to use Artisan to create something unique and then print at home (for instances in which you need thinner paper, sticker paper, etc.)  You can see just a few examples of crafting I've done using Artisan here.

SUPPLIES:

• this Heritage Makers poster    This is not in the template gallery like the other crafts I've made--this one is in my personal account, which I can then transfer to anyone else with a Heritage Makers account (which is free).  
• This is an 18x24 poster, so each print (poster) will have TWO pieces for your board that look like this:  
  
   
• 24 1/4 inches of a 1"x10" board    So if you go to your local home improvement store, look for nice boards that are 1"x10".  The crazy thing is that even though they are sold as 10", they only truly measure 9 1/4.  They will come in 6 ft., 8 ft., 10 ft., or 12 ft. lengths.  You only need slightly over 2 feet (24 1/4 inches, to be precise).  I made these poster prints to fit the 9 1/4" wood, so just cut a 24 1/4" piece off the long board, and you're good to go.  
• Power saw to cut your board, OR lovely person at the home improvement store to cut your board for you.  The finished product should be 24 1/4 inches by 9 1/4 inches (which is what the 10" boards really measure, remember) and about 1" deep (or whatever it really measures)
• Paint of your choice.  I did white, but light brown would be good.  Or you could stain it.  Look at your print when you get it and see what you think matches best.
• 12  1/2"  cup hooks to go under each month.  At a home improvement store.
• Power drill with a 1/16" drill bit.  
• Several 1 1/2" pieces of wood--hearts for anniversaries and circles for birthdays.  These can be purchased at your local craft store, or online.  You'll need one for each person and couple in the family.
• 7mm jump rings    All right, I had no idea what these were.  These are used for making jewelry.  You can buy these at your local craft store, too.  I got a pack of 144 for $3.  You will need roughly 4 of them PER circle/heart.  
• small needle-nosed pliers to open and close the jump rings  (2 pair if you want life to be easier)
• 1 self-leveling picture hanger   I've also seen them called sawtooth hangers.  At home improvement or craft stores in the framing section.  These usually come in a package of 3.

STEP 1

Order your beautiful print from Heritage Makers.  Email me at photoandstorytreasures@gmail.com if you need some instructions on how to do that.  (Or, as I mentioned previously, I can always just order it for you if you want.)

STEP 2

Cut.

Since your Heritage Makers print will come with two of these things that say "family: special days," you will need to cut them out.  (Gifts for a mother AND a mother-in-law for Mother's Day!)  Your print will measure 9 inches high and 24 inches wide.  Cut your 10" board (which, again, truly measures 9 1/4") to be 24 1/4" long.  This will allow you to leave a tiny edge around the "family" print once it's matted on the board.

STEP 3

Measure and mark.

Stick a small piece of tape to hold your print onto your board.  Carefully mark on the side of your board, placing a dot underneath each of the 12 months, right in the center of the board.  (See my little pencil dots?)

STEP 4

Drill board for hooks.

Using a 1/16" drill bit (it's at the far right in the case--tiniest one), drill holes where you marked dots on the edge of your board.  They don't have to be all that deep.  See my drilled holes, plus the dot on the far left that hasn't been drilled yet.

STEP 5

Sand, then paint.

 

First, just sand any rough edges on your board.  Mine didn't have a lot.  I did sand a little where I'd just drilled the holes, but not that much.  For me, the sanding took about 24 seconds.

Then paint.  I chose white.  Since the print would cover most of my wood, I only painted around the edges.  I also painted the four 1" sides of the wood, and I opted not to paint the back, but you certainly could.  I use craft paint (acrylic) found at craft stores for about $1 or less.  You don't use much paint with this project, either.  While you're letting it dry...

STEP 6

Prepare the "danglies" (you know, the things that dangle)

Open your packages of 1 1/2" circles and hearts.  Get enough circles for each family member's birthday, and enough hearts for each anniversary.  (You could also do JUST birthdays, or you could do all circles or all hearts.)  Draw a straight line down the MIDDLE of the circle.  These circles by Lara's Crafts are nice because the center is kind of marked right there in the middle.

Once you've drawn a line in the center, drill holes using a 1/16" drill bit (very tiny).  Try to drill as close to the edge of the circle as you can because when you place the jump rings in them later, you won't have a lot of room.  As you can see in the photos below, I used an old yucky piece of a 2x4 to put my danglies on when I drilled the holes.  It made it easy to just go right through without worrying about what was underneath.

For the hearts, I didn't bother drawing a line because the point at the bottom and the (inverted) point at the top are in the center anyway.  So I just drilled as close to the edge as I could.  You can also see other holes in my 2x4 from the previous pieces I'd drilled.  This drilling goes really fast!!  Your danglies are not that thick, so it doesn't take long.

STEP 7

Paint the "danglies."

Get all the sawdust off them from the drilling first.  Then paint your choice of color.  I again went for white.  I chose to only paint the fronts and sides.  Let dry.

And, hey, those crazy stripes are cut from an old plastic tablecloth my kids used to use!

STEP 8

Screw in the 12 cup hooks in the 12 drilled holes in the board.

Your board should be dry by now.  Just screw the 1/2" cup hooks into the holes you drilled on the bottom.  Make sure the hooks are facing the right way--it's okay if they don't screw in tightly, they just need to be FACING the right way.

STEP 9

Write names and dates on the danglies, then link together using jump rings.

I just used a fine-point Sharpie marker to write the names and dates.  If you've never used jump rings before (I hadn't, either), they are really easy to work with, given you have two pair of needle-nosed pliers.  These two I actually bought in the jewelry section of my local craft store when I bought the jump rings.  Anyway, you can see the gold jump rings on my table.  Now look at the pliers on the left to see that I've got a jump ring I'm holding in there.  All you need to do is hold each side of the jump ring with pliers, then twist in order to OPEN the jump ring.  Then slide it through your drilled hole and then use the pliers to CLOSE the jump ring again.  You can see I've done this on the bottom of the "Jordan" and on the top of the "Ethan."  

Next I am about to put a jump ring IN BETWEEN these two, so that I'm linking the Jordan and the Ethan together.    

You also need to put an extra jump ring on top of whichever circle (or heart) is at the top.  In this case, it's going to be the Jordan.  So the Jordan will have a jump ring through its top hole, just like the Ethan does, but then I will attach another jump ring to THAT one so that I have a jump ring to put over the hook for that month.  Like this:

By the way, I recommend keeping your extra jump rings, wood pieces, paint, etc., in case there are new members of the family added!  (whether through marriages or births)

STEP 10 (almost done!!)

Nail in a sawtooth hanger on the back.

Measure to find the center of your board, then place your sawtooth hanger in the center and nail it in.  Those little tiny nails are real buggers to try to hold while you're nailing, so I got a larger nail and tapped it in just enough to get the hole started.  That way, the tiny nails stood up on their own and they were easy to pound in.

STEP 11

Make your home beautiful or knock the socks off whoever is lucky enough to receive this as a gift!!

DIY Christmas advent calendar

Today I'm going to show you how to make this cute thing.  

This is an advent calendar (countdown to Christmas) with activities behind each of the windows which open.  You can see the two at the bottom left are open.  

There are activities like "string popcorn for the Christmas tree" and "watch a favorite Christmas movie" and "take a blanket or food to a shelter" and "drink hot chocolate"--but because these pages are printed using Heritage Makers, you can change any of the activities you want before you submit it for publishing.

The total cost for this project is about $9.  And it doesn't take long to make!

Okay, here's what you need for this cute advent calendar:

• Heritage Makers template 36277.  Search for this template in your Heritage Makers account, then make it your own if you like by personalizing it.
• one 12x12 tile   The one I used is called a "vinyl composition tile" and it says "commercial floor tile" on the box.  These are available at home improvement stores.  You can also use a ceramic tile--it really could be anything, it just needs to be 12"x12" and not bendable.  
• an Xacto knife  (as well as some cardboard or something that will keep you from cutting up your table)
• permanent double-sided tape (The directions given on this project's pages say to use Tacky Glue, but I've done it both ways, and the double-sided tape doesn't wrinkle like the Tacky Glue does.  Go with the double-sided tape.)

2023 UPDATE:  Heritage Makers became YPhoto under Youngevity (which purchased Heritage Makers in 2013).  YPhoto uses only templates, so the creativity showcased here is no longer available there. Best-in-the-industry quality and permanent cloud photo storage with guaranteed privacy are required for anything recommended here by Photo & Story Treasures, so we highly recommend Forever.  

Using Forever's Artisan program for digital scrapbooking, you can make items similar to those shown here.  This video tutorial shows you how to craft with high-quality scrapbook pages, and this one shows you how to use Artisan to create something unique and then print at home (for instances in which you need thinner paper, sticker paper, etc.)  You can see just a few examples of crafting I've done using Artisan here, including cards, magnets, dry-erase boards, and other products.

STEP 1:  get the beautiful part

Create the pages or ask me for mine.  This project is make from two 12x12 scrapbook pages, the outside part you see, and in the inside part with the words "behind the doors."  Place your order.

STEP 2:  adhere the page with the activities (the one shown on top here) onto the tile

Find the page with 24 activities on it (the one with instructions in black printed at the top).  Just put double-sided tape on the back of the page and line it up nicely on top of the tile.  Press down.

STEP 3:  cut the windows on the other page so they'll open

Using an Xacto knife (and something underneath to protect your table), cut the TOP AND BOTTOM of the windows, and cut DOWN THE CENTER.  DO NOT CUT THE SIDES.  Or you will be sad.

STEP 4:  fold the windows open using a straight edge

I just used a little wooden block, but you could use a ruler--just fold open the windows, pressing against your straight edge.  Leave the windows open.

STEP 5:  adhere the open-windows page to the page on the tile

I tore off 1-2" pieces of double-sided tape and cut them (with scissors) in thirds (in strips), then placed them around each window and door.  Taping all the way around each window and the door is important so it's strong when you open and shut the windows in the future.

If you look REALLY closely, you can see my strips of tape around the windows.  Trust me, they're there. 

Once it's all taped around the windows and door as well as around the edge of the page, just place this page on top of the page that's on the tile.  Press down to make the tape stick.

And you're done!!  Super cute, super fun, super fast!  (super cheap gift!)  Enjoy!!  

Only 48 days until Christmas!  :)

Christmas Countdown wooden blocks {a tutorial}

Updated 2026.  The original design is no longer available from the seller, so I have re-designed this set and also made it smaller, with block sizes that are easier to find.  The new design is simpler to order as well! 

Christmas is my favorite holiday, I love cute things, and I love giving unique gifts to friends.  

So this Christmas Countdown made from wooden blocks, a little paint, and pre-designed pieces is just perfect!

I made my first Christmas Countdown blocks way back in 2013.  You can see photos at the end of this post (the original post), but what I'm sharing today is an update to my second version, which I made around 2018.  The original set was big, made from 4" blocks and a piece of a 2"x4".  

My second version is a mini.

You could hold the whole set in one hand!

The whole thing measures 3" wide x 3" tall x 1.5" deep.

And did I mention I love cute things?

I designed these using a now-defunct software program on a digital scrapbooking page and had it printed with the same (now-defunct) company.  

I love having it professionally printed because it's printed on thick, glossy cardstock and the colors are vibrant and gorgeous.

So I have re-designed this project using the *amazing* Artisan digital scrapbooking software, which I upload and have professionally printed with superb quality--seriously, my breath is taken away every time--at FOREVER Print (where I upload and print all my family photo yearbooks--here's 2024 in 19 seconds).

Yes, I still have my original (above) that I pull out every year.  For a while my kids liked turning the blocks around to count down, but now I find I like doing it, too.  😁

Because I already have my old set, I have made these new blocks for you, my blog readers!  (And it will be part of my 2026 gift for all my FOREVER clients, too, like these.)  Here's my brand-new design for you:

The quality is lower on Blogger, as I'm sure you can see, but when you go to the original digital scrapbook page design it will be crystal clear.  Then you'll follow the directions on the right (after you open the project file here) and once you get the professionally printed page back in the mail, you can just follow the directions right on it!

I hope you enjoy this fun, easy project!

Scroll down to see the actual O.G., as well as one idea for adhering the pieces and additional views of all the sides of the blocks.  There's also a Pin to save this idea for later.

Happy crafting (and happy gifting)!

NOTE:  I am a Forever affiliate called an Ambassador (a decision I made because I love it so much), so you will find affiliate links in this post. I earn a commission from anything purchased at my website, and being your Ambassador means I'm here to help you with questions, too.  If you're new to Forever and open your free account here to give it a try, you'll get a $20 welcome coupon towards this project (or anything of your choosing, really)!

______________________________________________________________

THE ORIGINAL POST FROM 2013:

The last few wooden block tutorials I've posted used blocks cut from 2x4s or 1x4s.  This one is going to be different.  Although it does use one piece cut from a 2x4, it also uses two square blocks!

Cute, right?  Let's get started!!

Just like the other wooden block tutorials I've shown, these are simple and inexpensive.  This project cost me about $6.   

Here's what you need:

• Heritage Makers template 112267.  This is actually my own template--I created it!  Just click the "template gallery" link at the upper right, then type 112267 into the search field.  
• a 7.5" piece of wood cut from a 2x4 (found at home improvement stores)
• two 3.5"x3.5" blocks of wood (You can sometimes find these at craft stores pre-cut, but they come out cheaper per block if you buy a 4x4 post at a home improvement store.  Some of the ones made for fences are pre-treated and don't take paint very well.  Assuming you use all the blocks you can cut from an 8-foot 4x4 post, each block comes out to be about 50 cents.  If you're only making one set of these, though, then the ones at the craft store might be less money out of pocket.  And, as you might guess if you've read any of my other wooden block tutorials, a 4x4 post actually measures 3.5x3.5".)   
• a saw (unless you are using pre-cut blocks from a craft store.  If you are using a 4x4 post from a home improvement store, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and find a nice person who will cut it for you.  The nicest man ever offered to cut my whole 8 feet into 3.5" blocks for me.  It rocked.) 
• paint (Craft paint or spray paint; I use craft paint.  I'd recommend a cream/off-white/tan/or light brown.  Do whatever you want.)
• adhesive  (spray adhesive, Xyron, double-sided tape, Mod Podge, or UHU stick)

STEP 1:  create the beautiful part

Create your pieces on a scrap page, then order.

While you wait the 7-10 days for it to come in the mail...

STEP 2:  cut your wooden blocks

Unless you bought the blocks pre-cut or found a nice person at the home improvement store.  In any case, you may still need to cut the 7.5" piece from a 2x4.  

STEP 3:  prepare the wooden blocks

Sand rough edges.  

Paint all sides.  Let dry completely.  (I decided to save a little time and paint this time by not painting the whole blocks.  Most of each side will be covered anyway.)

STEP 4:  cut out the cuteness

After your pages have arrived in the mail, cut out the cuteness.

Choose your weapon:  paper cutter or scissors.

STEP 5:  adhere the cuteness to the blocks

The important part here is to follow the directions.  In order to make number combinations like 14 and 27, certain numbers need to go on certain blocks.  Or you will be sad.  Each square block has six sides.  One block should have the numbers 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 on it.  The other block should have the remaining 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 on it.  

Use spray adhesive, Xyron, double-sided tape, Mod Podge, or UHU to adhere the decor squares to the blocks.  I opted for the Xyron again.  But permanent double-sided tape works, too.

Then stick the pieces on!  (Don't forget to stick the right pieces on the right blocks!)

 HOW CUTE IS THIS?!?

 

I SO love it.  And it's such a great #giftidea too!

Save and share this Christmas Countdown project by Pinning this
image or using the social media share buttons at the left.

Follow Photo & Story Treasures on social media here: