Our Girl Amy

How Cool Is This?

2009-06-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

A couple of months I bought a YUDU if you aren't familiar with this awesome machine- well let me tell you- IT ROCKS!!!! If you've ever wanted or had the need to silk screen- check this puppy out. You print what you want to silk screen onto a transparency with your regular old printer .... then you stick it in the machine and burn the image into the emulsion and before you know it you are a silk screening fool. I've been making T-shirts for our Boy Scout Troop- which has turned into T-Shirts for other Troops as well. Best of all my boys can do it and make a little pocket money. Awesome.

I'm Baaaaack

2009-06-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hi! I am sorry that I have been AWOL for so long. I've been busy with a capital B. Lots of news both good and bad. Part of the reason I've been missing for so long is that my Mom has Alzheimer's Disease. It's taken me months just to be able to say it out loud. She's been in and out of the hospital since December and I've been flying home now and again to stay with her a week here and a week there. Then of course when I get home it takes me a couple of weeks to get things back to normal. Both boys are done with school for the year and I feel like I finally have some time to scrap and blog again. I have all my Mom's photographs and would like desperately to put something together for her to help her memory. If anyone knows of a site dealing with Alzheimer's and Scrapbooking I would love to know about it. The journal I showcased in my last post was for me to journal and heal. I'll be posting some things from it soon. I've missed you guys.

Art Journal

2009-01-18T09:47:00.001-08:00

At an antique store I discovered a leather bound book with a very unique binding system and instantly knew that I could make it into the perfect Art Journal. The book was a cheap looking brown leather painted with gold flecks and the string that held the binding together was a garish yellow cord. But, the bones were good and the idea was strong so I brought it home.
First I removed the cording and made myself a diagram of how exactly it was strung so I could replace it with a choice of my own. I then sanded the book and applied Gesso. Then the fun began. Layers of paint, lots of sanding, a crackle finish, more sanding, more paint. Finally I had a look I was happy with. Then it was on to finding the perfect images. The bird images were applied with Modge Podge.
Next the sheet music strips and more paint and more sanding. Then the rubon words and aged heart. I liked it and applied a good coat of Modge Podge over everything.

Next I decided on the paper and bought 2 pads. One Acrylic Paper and one Watercolor Paper. I removed 10 sheets from each pad and cut them to size. Then punched the holes into each page and applied circle strenghtening stickers around the holes on both front and back. Staggering Acrylic page and Watercolor page I stacked the pages and began the process of binding. For this I chose I lovely blue and white fabric trim I had in my stash. Lastly, I added a little bling in the form of an antique clover shaped rhinestone and pearl pin that I had purchased at an antique show. I love my journal and can't wait to get work inside.

The Book

2009-01-12T15:53:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and just knew what I had to do. Start an Art Journal. Today would be the day I started my quest to find the perfect book. I have pondered this idea before and knew that I wanted an old book. Something with a leather cover, loved and worn. A book of good size and shape. Thick, but not to thick. Slightly aged pages very little or no pictures. But, most importantly the book needed to speak to me. It had to say.. I am the one.
I browsed through antique mall after antique mall until I say it. Right size, right shape, lovely leather cover, perfectly aged binding and the title Quests and Conquests was perfect. I had to have it! But, there wasn't a price on my treasure. I literally held my breath as I took it to the counter to inquire about it's cost.
$5.00 was verdict which I gleefully paid and hurried home. I love the feel of the book. I love it's weight. And then I really looked inside. I will not alter this book. It's AMAZING. Full of daily inspirations and bits and pieces of wisdom. Parts of famous speeches and things to ponder, day after day. I love this book all the more for what is inside and the quest for the perfect journal continues. Quests and Conquests will now be the inspiration for the pages of the Art Journal as each page is a wealth of knowledge. This is the book I was truly meant to find.

Who Says?

2009-01-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a bunch lately about scrapping style. What is mine?
It didn't take long before I realized to the answer that question I needed to determine what my goal was when it came to scrapping. What started out as a hobby, something for fun, quickly turned into having to use the latest products and having to scrap in the latest style. Books, magazines, countless hours researching. For what? Who says what is right and what is wrong in scrapping? Afterall, isn't it a personal expression? Aren't they your memories with your feelings and experiences attached? So I say- go for it, use what you want, scrap how you feel. Let your memories and emotion dictate the page and not something you saw somewhere else. Have fun and scrap from the heart!

My friend Stacie scrapped an album about a trip she took to see a concert..her book inspired me to scrap about a trip we took to Kennedy Space Center...it's not your typical scrapping style and when I posted it online it was met with a very dismal response. So you know what? I'm embarassed to admit, I stopped making the book.
In my quest for organization I came across it, along with all things gathered to complete it. As I looked at the abandoned little album I realized that I really like it. It's fun, it tells the story of our adventure. I like this style of scrapping. I like this book and I don't care if it isn't the latest style or if it uses the latest products. And you know what? I'm going to finish it... just how it is. I think it's out of this world.

Organization

2009-01-05T04:39:00.000-08:00

What is it about January that makes you want to get organized? Maybe it has something to do with all those new presents needing a place to go. Maybe it's a New Year's Resolution that we automatically and silently make to ourselves or maybe it's as simple as New Year equals fresh start?

Whatever it is... I'm obsessed. Somewhere deep in my being I crave a perfectly organized home. Reality is there isn't a single aspect of my life that is properly organized.

Think about it. Organized living would be more peaceful. Organized living means being about to invite people over at a moments notice. It means guilt free, "me time"
It means a bunch. Less stress, less chaos, a sense of pride.

I get all that but, here's where I struggle. I don't want to give up other things to make the time to stay organized. Oh, if only once I did it and it would effortlessly stay that way.

I think that is the hardest aspect of homekeeping. Nobody notices what you do, but boy do they notice what doesn't get done. Heavens forbid you don't make dinner or don't put sheets on the bed. That and the fact nothing is ever really finished. You can't stand back and look at it, like a fine piece of art in a museum and say, "Well Done"!

You do the laundry- but, everyone is wearing clothes that will need to be done the next day. You buy groceries and they have the nerve to eat them. You wash the dishes just as someone grabs a bowl of cereal. It's a never ending circle.

There's a tiny voice inside of me that is relentless in it's nagging. "The boys are older now... if you do it, it can stay that way.... do it, do it, do it!

So I decided to start with they Scraproom. Why? because it seems like all the clutter around here somehow revolves around that room. Ticket stubs on the counter in the kitchen. Bits and pieces of things that are to precious to throw away.
Conatiners begging to be altered. Magazines full of amazing ideas.

So- the organization has begun. Starting with my massive hoard of ribbon. I thought I would share my idea. It starts with cutting boards that I found at Dollar Tree.
Each package comes with 2 Mats. These mats are thin enough to be cut with your trimmer. I cut each mat into rectangles that measure 2 1/2" by 2 1/4". Then using my Crop-a-dile I easily punched a hanging hole in each rectangle. Easy so far and quick! Then I drew on 2 lines, each 1 3/4" long. Next using my slot punch I started punching out the lines.
This part isn't as easy or a quick as I would have liked. If anyone has an idea of how this step could be improved..please post it. Anyway, while watching football I was able to amass quite a few finished rectangles. Then the fun part began! removing ribbons (I started with pink) from spools and jars and various failed storage attempts and adding them to my rectangles. If the amount of a particular ribbon is more than 1 yard, I cut it into 1 yard pieces. It's pretty to look at, it will be easy to see exactly what I have in all colors and a real space saver. Best of all my total cost for making 96 rectangles is $2.14! Be sure to save your scraps- these will work great for making your own letters and embellishments! Heck, buy more cutting mats and cut out your own funky shaped album.

Bert

2009-01-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week I returned from PA where we were for the holidays. It took us 10 1/2 hours to get home. I have never been good at sitting still- so for me a drive like that is particularly uncomfortable.
We had just finished unpacking the car when my son's friend arrived and they decided to go get something to eat.
Somehow in all the confusion of packages in and suitcases and laundry piles, our dog Bert managed to get outside and my son's friend drove over his foot! Good thing we got the van unloaded because the boys stuck Bert into the back and off we headed to the emergency vet.

What an ordeal that was...as soon as we got there they made me fill out forms- Then they wanted to make a copy of my drivers license. Crap! I had been using 2 purses on the trip to PA and the license was in my other purse. Luckily my son had his permit with him and they copied that...finally we head to the exam room.
They look Bert over and then head off to type me an estimate. When presented it had they best case scenario price and the worst case scenario price, which were vastly different. I also had to decide then and there if I wanted him to have lifesaving measures in case of heart failure (extra charge $300.00).
I look at Bert all pitiful and agree to treatment even though I still don't know what is wrong!
Then the unreal part.
I have to pay in cash.
Yep, you heard me ..cash. Since I don't have my drivers license they won't treat him until I give them cash.
My debit card isn't good enough, my credit card isn't good enough, forget about a check- Bert is going to suffer and receive no attention until I provide $$$$'s.
I have to leave the vet's office and find an ATM.
Luckily it turned out that there were no broken bones. $400.00 later all they did was shave his leg, clean his wounds and apply gauze. They did however provide me with a lovely CD of xrays of his foot. So it's only fitting that today's layout is about Bert.

Homemade Amaretto

2008-12-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

I've been a busy little elf lately. Last night I finally got down to business and altered those little coke ornament bottles I've had in my stash.
First I removed the labels and the little ring that is left around the nexk of the bottle when the cap is removed. Then I went outside and spray painted all the lids a shiny gold. While they were drying I washed out all the bottles and then used a little bit of fingernail polish remover to take of the black manufacturing numbers on the side and neck of the bottle. When the bottles were clean and dry and I applied Chrismas rubons I had in my stash and then set about making the Amaretto.
I swear it tastes like the real thing...

In a saucepan over medium heat combine:
1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
Heat until just boiling and until all the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Next add:
2 cups Vodka
2 tablespoons almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Stir well.

Fill your bottles with your homemade Amaretto. (One recipe above fills 2 bottles.) Add your gold lid and tie with a beautiful bow. Be sure to add a Homemade Amaretto tag!

I'll be giving these bottles to my friends and neighbors along with some Snickerdoodles and Nut Roll cookies.

If you aren't an Amaretto fan a quick search on the internet will turn up recipies for homemade Bailey's Irish Cream too!

Christmas Cards

2008-12-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

The pressure is on. For quite a few years I have been sending homemade Christmas cards. I love making them, but now everyone expects one and I am not one to disappoint. This year I thought and thought and thought about the card I wanted to make. I've done cute. I've done country. I've done clever. Hmmmmmmmm. So this year's card is elegant. Yep, I know kind of out of the box for me. Hope you like it. I got the idea for the tree from Impress Rubber stamps. To make it I used a snowflake punch and 2 shades of blue green Bazzill Cardstock and red Bazzill Bling Cardstock.
The snowflakes are glued in just the center so the edges jut up and stick out-just as the branches of a tree would.
I cut the Happy Christmas words using my Cricut and their Christmas Soluntions cartridge. The silver stripe and tree trunk are from silver paper that I have had in my stash for so long I have no idea where they came from....the silver stars however are a completely different story. They are Hotfix metallic stars. If you aren't familiar with Hotfix- it's awesome. Metals, beads and crystals in all sizes and shapes you can imagine that when touched with the heated Hotfix wand aheres in seconds to whatever you want to place them on. Fun, product that I will Blog more about later this week.

Folded Ornament

2008-12-07T04:38:00.000-08:00

I tried making these folded ornaments the other day and they are really fun to do! They kind of remind me of when I was a teenager and we made gum wrapper chains. Here are the step by step instructions....
Step 1: Cut 8 equal squares of Scrapbook paper or Gift Wrap in any size you'd like. The larger the squares, the larger the ornament.

Step 2: With the wrong side up- locate the center of your square and fold all four corners into the center.

Step 3: Fold the bottom point of the square up to the top, making a triangle.

If you find your folding isn't tight enough to hold the pieces in place..Add a little drop of glue to the points and repeat the final step.

Step 4: Fold one flap down to the bottom edge.

Step 5: Fold the triangle in half away from you- making a smaller triangle. The "smooth" side goes on the inside.

Step 5: Slide the flaps of one triangle into the pockets of another. Repeat with all 8 squares until the ornament is completed. Add a hole and string to hang.

Homemade Holidays Open House

2008-12-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

If you're strolling around the internet today or tomorrow and are looking for something to do...I suggest dropping in at the Homemade Holidays Open House at Rocky Mountain Hobbies. You'll find it listed under the Cyber Crop Central section of the message board. The Design Team has put together fun Homemade Packaging ideas for their favorite homemade holiday goodies and have included the recipes. Fun,fun, fun!
For the crop I made little gingerbread houses from half pint milk cartons and included a recipe for microwave Peanut Butter Fudge as my project. Hope you'll stop by!

Christmas is Coming!

2008-11-25T07:24:00.000-08:00

"This year I will be done with my shopping early. This year I will be organized. This year I will bake cookies for all my friends and neighbors. This year I will enjoy the holiday and won't let the stress get to me." This is my new mantra- I vow to say it to myself whenever I feel Christmas becoming a chore. Oh how I secretly long for those childhood days when it was all filled with excitement, fun and magic. That being said I truly am one who would much rather give a gift than receive one. I just wish I could fold my arms and nod my head ala I Dream of Jeannie and have everything cleaned and decorated, bought, wrapped and baked.

To get myself started in the Christmas spirit I made a gift bag and matching card.
To make these I tried something new. I used an ink pad that has no ink. It's glue!
I then used an acrylic stamp with the glue the same as if it were ink. The applied glitter to the glue. You can use a fine lose glitter or you can purchase glitter sheets. This also works with flocking. I then used Stickles glitter glue and added bulbs to my trees. It's hard to photograph- but it's really worth the effort. Very pretty. The result is much more professional looking than in the photograph. I can think of a thousand ideas for this technique. Adding names to ribbons. Making decorative edges on To and From tags. I highly recommend trying this technique so you too can get some of the sparkle, shine and magic back into your Christmas. Last year I did a country Christmas, this year I think I just might be putting on the Ritz! Not one to usually go for "bling" I think a little glitz might be fun for a change.

Funky!

2008-11-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

I have advice today. It's my birthday. I'm getting older and feel like this qualifies me to give advice. Be bold. Be daring. Take risks! Maybe it's just a scrapbook page- but, I went out on a fun, funky limb for this one and I love it! I stitched, I inked, I stamped. I used patterns and colors I never thought I would use. I cut and layered and then I layered some more. I say go for it! There are no rules when it comes to scrapbooking!!! Just have fun.

Oh MY GOSH she posted in her blog!!

2008-11-23T07:02:00.000-08:00

I know- I know it's been way to long since I posted. Life went into warp speed for a while- but, things are back to normal (I hope). Anyway- I am getting caught up on my scrapping, it feels GREAT. Love this Granola line by Basic Grey. The combination of Blue and Brown seems to be my favorite lately. No the boys aren't in trouble- they spent a day volunteering to clean up a roadway to prevent all the litter and trash from winding up in rivers and creeks. This layout reminds me of something I learned recently. Whenever you are using a group of photographs it's important that one stands out and becomes the focal photograph of your layout, otherwise if all the photos are competing for attention your eye doesn't know where to look and everything becomes visually jumbled together. For this layout I chose Jake's face to be my photo focal point.

This layout left me a bit puzzled when it comes to color choices. What to do with the flourescent yellow that is in most of the photos? I decided to ignore it. What would you have done?

October

2008-10-06T06:13:00.001-07:00

Is it just me or do you get excited when it's October 1st? To me it means the beginning of fall and all the holidays. I know that I am ready for fall clothes and fall foods and am secretly starting to think a tiny bit about Christmas. So fun.
I had a great time working on this layout. I love the pictures and I loved the paper..and the rubber stamps are so fun. Everything is by Cosmo Cricket in case you are wondering. I made the little bats, pumpkin and stars using the stamps. A little trick I used was using a hole punch to punch from my double sided patterned paper and used the little circles around the scallops. Perfectly coordinated and economical! For the journaling- I printed directly onto a photograph of pumpkin guts and then cut out and matted the strips.
The title wasn't standing out just plain black so I went around the edges and outlined using a white colored pencil- this looked to stark compared to everything else so I then went over the white with an orange pencil- I think it turned out pretty well. Thanks for looking!

Formation

2008-09-30T06:03:00.000-07:00

Not a very complicated layout- but, I really wanted not to detract from the photo!
Always keep your eyes open for things that can be used as embellishment. The Boy Scouts of America strip at the bottom is actually from a Uniform shirt my son spilled paint on. I also saved the pockets, buttons and American Flag patch from the sleeve!

The arrows were plain chipboard that I covered with paper and then used a large nail file to sand around the edges. Taking time to do this simple step makes a world of difference!

When you have a ton of photographs surrounding a cetain theme (like I have for Scouts) look at all papers for patterns and colors that will work, don't just limit yourself to those designed for your exact theme. For example, the patterned papers used here are from the Basic Gray Mellow collection. Having papers like these will add a lot more interest to my son's finished album.

Hood Rats

2008-09-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a tip for using leftover letters! To make the two different styles of lettering work for the title I made them work together by first adhering them to a piece of white cardstock and then cutting them out as a unit. I did this again with colored cardstock because I needed a little more punch- the result was a rather stylish title! I often wondered how people mixed and matched different letters so well.. I think this is the trick!

If you like the flowers they were fun and easy. I made them from pipe cleaners while waiting in the car to pick up my kids. I then punch a hole in the layout and stuck the "stems" through and split them like a brad... I think it turned out pretty cool!

Lake GoJumpInA

2008-09-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

This Monochromatic layout features a paper line called Mr. Campy. It's by Cosmo Cricket and I swear they had me in mind when they designed it. These papers and the sticker were perfect for this layout which is about the tradition of the Camp Staff swimming across the lake (in full uniform) following their final formation of the summer. I made the title by printing onto cardstock and then giving it a light watercolor wash-then once it dried cutting out each letter. I like this layout because I think I told the story both in pictures and in words.

Life Is Like A Box of Chocolates

2008-09-24T14:45:00.001-07:00

Fun, Silly layout! I used watercolor paper and watercolors to make the sun and the word meeting.. definately a technique worth trying and using again and again. The colors in person are so vibrant and have so much depth. You can't see it very well in the scan- but, in true Forest Gump style I added a white feather- (it's right next to the word "Meeting") Don't you just love the little bird? He's from October Afternoon... one of my new favorite lines!

Easy Digital

2008-09-05T07:53:00.000-07:00

I am definately not a digital scrapper. I love the feel of the paper and like the feeling of creating with my hands. I also know that I would never, ever in a million years print out the digital pages that I make. But, I do think it's great to use a little bit of digital wizardry here and there. Take this layout for example- I made the little logo. It took seconds, was done with clipart and it filled a void when I wasn't able to find what I was looking for in the way of embellishment shopping. It didn't require any special expensive programs - it was all done on Microsoft Word. It's another thrifty tip as the cost was a piece of scrap cardstock and the tiniest bit of computer ink!

Organization

2008-09-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

Are you in need of some motivation to get your scrapping supplies organized? I know that I sure am.....so I joined an Organizational Challenge on Rocky Mountain Hobbies.
The best thing about it is that it won't take a ton of time. Just a little a month. This month's challenge will be to organize your paper. She gave us a heads up so that we can gather all our paper into a box and be ready to begin when the challenge is actually issued. Next month we'll move onto something else. I love this idea- getting storage ideas from everyone and support and encouragement. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in doing.. why don't you join us? Go to the Rocky Mountain Hobbies Message Board, click on the Challenge section and then click on Orgazinational Challenge. Hope to see you there!

Sanding

2008-09-02T15:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a cool tip that will really stretch your scrapping dollar! I made the pages below for a gift- so there are no photos- but, you can see the technique I used. I had chipboard letters in a great style-but, they were the wrong color. So I used double sided tape and stuck them to my table top, placed my patterned paper over them in the position I wanted the title and then lightly sanded with sandpaper until I got the desired effect.

Then out of a piece of cardstock I cut out the little fish and kept sanding and moving my paper along until I had him everywhere I wanted him to be. Pretty cool, huh? Better yet I still have my chipboard letters ready to use again and again. This technique works best on paper with a white core. In other words when you tear it- you see white along the torn edge as opposed to seeing the same color as the outside of the paper- however I have seen some cool techniques on solid color paper, sand and then go over top with chalk in a contrasting color for some pizzazz!

A New Direction

2008-08-27T04:56:00.000-07:00

I had the perfect paper... I had the perfect photos... now what? I don't know why I did it or where I got the idea.. but, I cut the one photo into cubes and then adhered it mosaic style... pretty quick, easy and I thought it added a lot of impact, to an otherwise average layout. You should give it a try!

The letters I used for the word Journey were the same color as the background paper. I wanted them to look like the letters on the compass so I crumbled up a paper towel and held it in my hand so that it was all lumpy and bumpy...then I dabbed it into black Staz On ink and then onto the letter. I think they turned out well. Another quick and easy thing to try!

Scrappers Remorse

2008-08-25T04:56:00.000-07:00

How cool are the rubbery "stickers" on this layout. The whole paper line is fun too!
It's all by a company called October Afternoon. So darn cute.
Usually I love the look of hand drawn titles... somehow this one seems to fall flat. I think maybe it's the color - brighter would have been better or maybe it's the placement of the letters... I would have liked the word "So" a little more to the left.

Does this ever happen to you? You scrap something and then wish you would have done this or that instead? It's maddening... I tell ya! It's like thinking of the perfect comeback to a remark someone made hours later. Hindsight is 20/20!

I'm so amazed by scrappers who can turn out page after page in a single evening and never seem to regret any of their decisions. It takes me hours to do a single layout and I am often already second guessing what I did.

Does it need more? Did I add to many things? Oh shoot I forgot about that patterned paper it would have been perfect. I think I need a support group.

Three Cheers!

2008-08-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to Scrap for weeks. But, my sons have returned to school and getting into the routine of 5:30am wake-ups and carpooling has proven more difficult and time consuming than I figured.
So I made a family announcement. Eat what's in the fridge and don't bother me all weekend. I'm scrapping!

Here's the first layout from my weekend endeavors. It's from this summer at camp. 4th of July. If you happen to be looking for Scout Related products. The stickers I used are by a company called It Takes Two. Love when I find the perfect embellishment.

The tiny flag is actually a toothpick. Love using everyday things on a layout, don't you?

Three cheers for a weekend full of scrappin' !

Where I've been lately...

2008-07-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

For those of you who want to know where I've been - At camp!!

Making Embellishments

2008-07-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

Okay this was kinda fun. The liberty bell was made by putting metal "paper" over the top of a picture of the liberty bell and then tracking it with a ball point pen that was out of ink for the embossing. I printed the tiny Declaration of Independence onto manilla paper and then distressed it with Tim Holtz Distress Ink. I love when my embellishments are one of a kind.

Patriotic

2008-07-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

Today I am working on my 4th of July pictures from this year. I thought I would have something to post-but it will have to wait. So today I am posting a calendar page I made a while back. It was for a calendar swap where everyone was assigned a month and everyone in the group a page for their calendar. It was lots of fun. The eagle is paper pieced and the flag is a toothpick. I used a gold paint pen around the edges of the actual calendar and then used distress ink. I think it has that important document historic feel.

What a Thrill...

2008-07-18T04:47:00.000-07:00

I was so stumped when I first decided to scrap these photos. Patterned paper didn't seem right, but the layout needed some sort of texture. So I decided to try and make some letters that looked like the cascading water in the photographs. I started with a sheet of Hambly heavy clear overlays and applied modeling paste to one side with a palette knife. Then I went through the modeling paste over and over again with a toothpick and a straight pin until I got the look I wanted. It took maybe 30 minutes to dry and then I traced the letters and cut them out, making sure that the modeling paste was on the back. I glued them to the layout using Zip Dry paper glue. I got such a thrill with how they turned out.

Scrap Trolley

2008-07-17T04:40:00.000-07:00

You start a layout and when you're finished you have big scraps left over from the cardstock and patterned papers you used. How do you store all those wonderful scraps? My solution is what I call a scrap trolley. It's actually a rolling file folder holder. First I placed the hanging folders like I would have if I was using the trolley for it's intended use- then inside of each hanging file I placed an unused page protector with the open end usually used to slide your layout inside facing upward. Inside these page protectors is where I sort by scraps. I have seperate protectors for cardstock and patterned paper and then sort by color. Each protector holds 2 different distinctly contrasting colors.. for example I have black and white cardstock housed together. I've been using this system for years and it's one of the few storage systems that I have never changed. Best of all, the trolley fits right next to me rolled under my desk and when I need a small piece of this or that I just pull it out, find what I need and then roll it away out of sight.

Flock of Donkeys?

2008-07-16T02:45:00.000-07:00

If you haven't worked with Flocking yet- I recommend that you try it. I found it to be really fun to work with and really like the finished look and feel.
I bought the fun color variety pack from Doodlebug and can easily seeing myself adding a little flocking to this and a little flocking to that- just as a professional looking finishing touch to things. On this layout I used white flocking as a frame around the largest picture and brown flocking on the word velvet. In case you are wondering, I love watching a neighbor's donkeys they are the funniest things. I journaled about how keep asking for a baby donkey whenever a gift gifting holiday rolls around, but how nobody in my family takes me seriously. Really I just want a baby one- they can even bring it home in my minivan LOL.

Wonder

2008-07-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

Wonder where I have been? I've been busy working on and off at Boy Scout Summer Camp. I LOVE that place. I would stay the whole summer if they would let me. This layout is of my oldest son looking at a cool moth in one of the shelters at camp. The title is simply printed out on regular computer paper and then I colored it in using an artist crayon. I also used the crayon to color in the arrows from the Rusty Pickle paper. Sort of half crayon-half pastel these crayons are awesome- because you get to rub and buff and smear until everything looks just the way you want it to- it's perfect in it's imperfection, because all those smudges and lines add an artistic flair to the layout as well as some much needed texture!

Remember Me?

2008-07-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have come to realize that I try to do to many things. I'm Mom to 2 boys, hold a number of large positions when it comes to Boy Scouts, am the Design Team Coordinator for Rocky Mountain Hobbies and number of other things. I know I have said it before- but, something has to give... I decided after my hiatus that it isn't going to be this blog. I love blogging. So if any of you had the patience to wait for my return. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!
Here's a layout that I did over the weekend. One of the benefits to living in the country is farm auctions. We love them! Like a treasure hunt for big kids. So much fun. To make the chipboard letters work on the layout I first sanded them to remove the brightness of their patterns, then I applied some Distress Ink in the color Old Photograph. Finally I went around the edges with a black permanent marker in sort of a hit or miss fashion. With so many small pictures I didn't want the title to steal the layouts thunder. Hope everyone is well! More tomorrow.

Credit Where Credit is Due

2008-05-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

If you like the techniques used on the last three layouts that I've posted then this book if for you. It's packed full of awesome out of the box scrapping ideas and I can't wait to try ALL of them! While they might at first seem intimidating to a linear scrapper- don't let that keep you from using these ideas- a little bit of a new technique goes a long way when trying to give your pages a fresh new look.
There is nothing I love more that getting a brand new scrapping book. I spend hours upon hours pouring over the pages and ooohing and awwwing over the pictures of the examples. It's my number one weapon when I find myself in a scrapping slump. I find to get myself out of it all I have to do is pull a couple of my scrapping books off of the shelf and spend an evening page flipping to get me back in the scrapping groove.

Details, Details

2008-05-30T04:33:00.000-07:00

At first glance this looks like a typical layout. But, on closer inspection you'll find there are a lot of details. Including the frame around the photo.

To achieve this look I allowed a one inch border of brown cardstock on either side of my photo. Along this border in sort of a random pattern I placed silver star brads. Once I checked to make sure I could easily slip my photograph into place, I removed the photo and began painting everything with brown acrylic paint. It took a couple of coats of paint, so be patient. Once everything dried I glued my photograph into place. This is a technique I know I will be using a lot more often.
While the cool 3-D effect is difficult to see in the photographs I highly recommend that you give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

Before It's Gone

2008-05-29T04:14:00.000-07:00

I live in an area that is changing. It's quickly growing with lots of homes, shopping and schools being built. I drive past this old Cotton Gin almost everyday and I found myself wondering how long it would be there, if anyone besides me cared.
So, I decided to start taking photographs of it and other things in my area that I love before they are gone. For the layout I wanted to something special, so I made the background "paper". Strips of masking tape were coated with Gesso which was then dried and painted. Once completely dried they were applied in a random order to my cardstock. The title is made from Tim Holtz's Grungeboard which I tried to make look rusted and weathered. I'm falling in love with this more artistic form of Scrapbooking.

Paper Piecing

2008-05-27T16:58:00.001-07:00

If you'll remember in an earlier post I talked about my love for paper piecing and how I am definately going to do more of it on my layouts. Well I stuck to my guns and over the weekend made this layout with a paper pieced totem pole. Yep each piece and each color on the totem pole was cut from paper! I think it was worth the effort and it didn't take as long and you are thinking it did. Better yet, I didn't have a decent picture of the life sized totem pole I made for cub scout camp - without the paper piecing the only memory would have been a poor quality photo and it's a one of a kind, perfect embellishment for my page.

Keeping Busy

2008-05-26T05:10:00.000-07:00

Whew the last few weeks have been busy! Both my boys are officially out of school for the summer. My oldest packed up and left yesterday for 8 weeks at his summer job. My youngest is recouperating from a fall from his bike that took off most of the skin from the palm of his right had and his right knee and I'm just trying to keep up with them all.

I'm working on lots of things. Especially organizing and house cleaning- my home has really gotten away from me over the last few months. It's making me CRAZY.

I have been working on some crafts... including Macrame Bracelets. I'll be spending 2 seperate weeks at Boy Scout Summer Camp this summer and I always like to come up with a craft I think the boys would like to do that will keep them busy during down time.

Okay so this example is kinda girly - but, you get the picture.

It's a lot easier than I thought it would be and the cost is minimal. I found the instructions online at Rings & Things a really great site full of fun jewlery ideas and instructions. For the camp I am thinking of doing the same bracelet -but, using 2 colors of hemp (Boy Scout colors) of course- not sure about beads yet.

Hope you'll stop back. I promise to be much better about posting!

Masculine Pages

2008-05-04T04:31:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of magazine ads for IKEA- but, I took some scrapping tips from them. Stripes=Strenght, Pattern=Power. Pretty interesting. I'd say this holds true when thinking about bold stripes and bold colors and shapes in patterns.

I love the stitching around the letters- they look like felt lettering. Using a simple font the words just jump off the page. All in all these ads have helped me- having 2 sons I do a lot of masculine pages. In a world of scrapping that has embraced, glitter, bling and an endless array of flowers, masculine pages can sometimes be tough. I equate it to clothes shopping. Women's clothing makes up 75% of the floor in any department store with the Men's section religated to just a corner. Blue, Green, Khaki, Blue, Green, Khaki, Brown, Black, Brown, Black.
Yawn.

Collage

2008-05-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

While a little to funky for me - I love the idea behind this. Creating artwork for my home using my Scrapping skills. If you look closely I see a lot of scrappy things going on here. Rubber stamping, Foam stamping, paints and inks. Scrapbook tiles, Dymo labeler. Are the large dots stickers or maybe die cuts? Is the scroll work on the "spinner" rub-ons?

I'll be redoing my youngest son's bedroom this summer and I can't wait for us to work together on some art for his walls, why not? Afterall I have all the supplies!

National Scrapbook Day

2008-05-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

In celebration of National Scrapbook Day and to make up for all my time AWOL.. I've decided to make a bunch of Blog Entries today...I've been saving up some ideas and projects to share... hope you enjoy them.

Scrappy Chic
These photos taken from the May 2007 issue of Real Simple magazine are so inspirational to me. Look closely. The ladies are hand drawn and then lightly watercolored. It's their clothes that blow me away - simply cut from fabric or paper or ribbons they are glued directly onto the figures. I love how they are draped and folded into place.

To add to the realizm real beads, buttons and trims are added along with a little hand sewing to add seams.

As scrappers we can so do this! How often are we need in something more "grown up" than cutesy?

Don't be intimidated by the hand drawing - how about printing out a photograph and then adding homemade clothing on top of it?

Another option would be to search the internet for fashion drawings then print them out onto a transparency- then quickly turning the transparency over onto your cardstock and quickly rubbing it all over- lightly transfering the image (be sure to hold the transparency still) Fun!

Bargain Alert!

2008-05-03T07:21:00.000-07:00

Found this deal yesterday at Big Lots! American Crafts ribbons and Embellishments.
Each package $2.00. So for the low, low price of $10.00 I walked away with 18 spools of ribbon, 60 Elegant chipboard pieces and 65 foam punctuation pieces. Oh yeah!

Update !

2008-05-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

I'm baccckk! Sorry for being AWOL... between life and a computer virus I have been missing from the Online Scene and have had some serious withdrawls!

First, tomorrow is National Scrapbook Day and we're having an Inspiration Online Crop at Rocky Mountain Hobbies to celebrate. It's going to be great fun with a dozen Quickfire Challenges you can create in an hour or less and other terrific projects. 8am until Midnight(Eastern).

We've decided to definately keep the dog... thanks to everyone for your awesome name suggestions. We've decided to name him Bueller after Ferris Bueller. LOVE that movie and I can't resist the thought of standing on the porch calling him..and then saying... anyone? anyone? when he doesn't come.

I've got some cool bargains and such to post. But, I think I'll wait until tomorrow.

Dog- gone it!

2008-04-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

Sadly, our little hobby farm is a magnet for those who decide they don't want their pets anymore. Stray dogs and boxes of kittens can be found out in the yard up to a dozen times a year. Here's our latest visitor:

I opened the front door on my way to pick up my son at school and that's what was looking at me. Cute, huh.
Usually we try to find homes for these poor four legged friends. But, every once in a while one steals our hearts and ends up taking residence. I'm not sure if we'll keep this pup. He's going to be huge. But, how can I resist that face?

Either way he's going to need a name. Any suggestions?

Loose Ends

2008-03-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

The scrapping part of my life is driving me nuts. It's nothing but loose ends. Partially done projects, partially completed scrapbook room. I look around at all these pictures of other people's scrapping things and they are so finished and polished. How do other people do it? That's my question of the day. I'm determined to get things completed. No more loose ends.

Here's an acrylic album I started for my son's girlfriend. She knows that I am making it for her... so it's my first loose end to finish... Here's what I have completed so far:

I wanted to really play up the clear empty spaces of the acrylic album. Afterall if you cover evertthing with paper- what's the point of working in a clear album?

Working with Acrylic Albums is all about preplanning. What you put on one page will show up on the next page. I wanted to add some fun funky pages to the book- so I made my own pages from Hambly Acrylic Sheets- the black stitching is on the actual edge of the page.

One of my favorite things about the album so far are the faux photobooth strips.
I made them by printing small photos and then cropping them to the same size and
applying them to blank photo paper in a strip. Fun!
That's it for the album thus far... I promise to add more soon. I also promise to get cracking on the scrapbook room during the next two weeks.... I think I will be purchasing the final piece on Tuesday!

Spring

2008-03-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

What's with the weather? Yesterday I experienced the strangest weather phenomenon. It was warm and sunny- probably close to 70 degrees-when suddenly a black cloud was overhead and it started to snow. It was the strangest thing... there I am sitting in van for carpool with the windows down and no coat when snowflakes started hitting my windshield. At first I thought it was petals blowing off flowering trees- so I got out of my car to be sure.... there was no doubt about it..snow! Of course it melted the instant it landed on anything- but, how weird is that?? Then last night it went down to freezing! It hasn't been the cold for a long time. I want it to be Spring so badly- no more freezing weather!
In honor of spring I am posting a flowery layout.

Peonies are one of my favorite flowers. They remind me of my Grandmother. She tatted the piece of lace on the top of the layout- so pretty. Remember when I told you to save to scalloped cardboard label on the top of Cool Whip? That's what I traced and used as a template for the scalloped journaling circle. Thanks for visiting today- hope you have a warm spring day!

Gift

2008-03-24T08:50:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do something special for the woman for books all the reservations for our Boy Scout Summer Camp. It's a tough job. Everyone wants to make sure that their scouts get the merit badge classes that they need. Everyone wants the same campsites. She's always so nice and so pleasant to work with and yet no one gets to meet her nor does she get to see the boys enjoying camp. I thought she deserved a little something to let her know that someone noticed what a great job she does.

I started with a 4 pack of Starbucks Frappuccino. Once we finished off the drinks I ran the bottles in the dishwasher and removed the labels. There was a little bit of glue residue left over that I used fingernail polish remover to take off.
From there I started decorating the carrier, using things from my stash.

I had my son, a Boy Scout tie the rope around the necks of the bottle using different knots he's learned in scouting and burnt the edges with a lighter to prevent fraying. On the tops of the jars I added round tags that say things like camping and adventure. Each jar has a label for a specific kind of complaint she encouters, Unreasonable Requests, Not Happy No Matter What..etc.

Each bottle contains a different type of candy, M&M's (just the colors that coordinate), Whoppers, Raisinettes and Peanut M&M's (also color sorted). The hiking boot tag reads - Take as many needed to cure the ailment on the label. Thanks for all you do!

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! I thought today I would post an altered board book. If you've never made one- they are quick, easy and have a really professional appearance when completed.
In addition to your regular scrapping supplies you will need a children's board book (yard sales and dollar stores are a great place to find these) acrylic paint that matches your selected patterned paper and gesso(found where art supplies are carried.) Then you will need a plan. Before I began this book I counted the number of pages and then on plain piece of paper made a rough sketch of what I wanted to put on each page. I began altering the book with the cover.

First, I sanded the front cover with a rough sandpaper just enough to make the surface porous enough to hold paint. Then I painted the cover with Gesso. If you aren't familiar with Gesso, it's a thick white paint usually used for covering and priming canvas. Once the Gesso was dried I painted the front cover with acrylic paint in a spring green. While waiting for that to dry I worked on covering my chipboard letters with paper and created the bunny paper piecing. Once I was sure the paint was completely dry I assembled the front cover, including a piece of green gingham paper over the spine. I used ZipDry Paper Glue to adhere everything in this project.

I wanted my book to have a closure so I glued a piece of twill across the front over the spine and down the back of the book, leaving long pieces on both ends so that there was enough to use to make a bow. I was worried about the ends of the twill unraveling- so along the raw ends I used a product called Freycheck (sold where sewing notions are found). This products seals raw edges of fabric and ribbon. To add depth and to give my book a sense of history I used Tim Holtz Tea Stain Distress ink and rubbed it all over the pages. A piece of an old t-shirt was used to apply it. Think about where the wear and tear would occur on the page and to make these areas darkest.

For the rest of the pages of the book I covered the pages with patterned paper, except for the center of the book where I repeated the Gesso and acrylic paint process. If your board book has slick, glossy pages then you will need to do a quick sanding on all pages, even if covering with patterned paper! All the words in the book were printed out on my computer and I added a little doodled border to most with a black marker. Ribbons were all attached by folding the ribbon in half and then stapling them to the word strips and then gluing them to the book as a whole unit. The most time consuming part of making this board book was the preplanning. I searched for a long time for all the paper piecing patterns.

Some were found in Scrapbooks, Etc, some on the internet, some on the Creating Keepsakes website. The final steps for completing the book was to sand along the edge of the pages to make sure that there wasn't any lose paper hanging over the size of the original book. For this process I used a large emory board. Altering this book was one of my favorite projects, ever! My plan is to add Easter pictures to it from various Easters and to store it along with my Easter Decorations to be displayed year after year. I think it will be a darling on my coffee table. I hope my boys will get a kick out of seeing how they've changed over the years. I know I will!

Thrifty Find

2008-03-19T15:29:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted a Thrifty Find- but, I haven't stopped thrifting. A while ago I picked up for $1.00 this very cool stencil book. It's full of stencils of construction equipment. I was so tickled with this find. Not only is my husband a construction superintendant - but, I have pictures to scrap of a camp I ran a few years ago that had a construction theme.
If you haven't used stencils before when paper piecing. They are great! Just trace and cut. If you want to vary your papers and patterns. First trace the entire stencil onto cardstock for your background. Lightly with pencil draw on the interior lines. Then use the stencil on patterned and different colored papers to trace just the segment you need of that particular color or pattern. Cut out and adhere it on your background piece using your pencil lines as a guide.
A white eraser comes in handy to remove all pencil lines. I always rub my eraser on a blank piece of paper first to make sure it won't leave any smear marks.
Details can be added with thin markers, chalk and ink. Next time you are thrifting don't overlook children's items. You might be surprised. It's a if I purchased 10
die cuts, perfect for my pages for a buck!

Word Play

2008-03-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

There sitting with all my Patterned Paper was a Making Memories page kit for dog pages I bought long ago. It was darling - I just never got around to using it.
It's a perfect example of why I can't seem to part with older scrapping supplies.
If I had used the kit when I first bought it- I surely would have done a regular
old layout. Photo matted -square on the page a few embellishments. A square block of journaling.

By waiting to use it- I was able to take new ideas and new techniques and combine it
with an older product. I love the results.

Puzzled

2008-03-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

Looking for a fun gift idea? I covered a Rubik's Cube with photo's from a recent train museum visit with my nephew. Here's how:

First, remove all the colored square stickers from the cube. Be patient this takes a while. Once all the stickers are removed there will be a little bit of glue residue- I removed this with Q-tips and fingernail polish remover.

Next measure the side of your cube and determine what size of photograph you will need. You will need to make your photos slightly smaller than the side of your cube so that there will be room for the border around the photograph and for the space in between the cubes. You will need 6 photographs.

Finally determine the size of each cube and what size you will need to cut your photograph. Cut the photograph into thirds and then each of those strips into thirds.
Only cut one photo at a time! Lay the photograph pieces out on your desktop in the proper order and begin adhering to one side of your cube. I used Zip Dry paper glue.

Repeat with all 6 sides!

Spinning Out of Control

2008-03-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

The recent unexpected outbreak of severe storms in nearby Atlanta and across all of Georgia (including my house...eeek!)caused me to slow down. I actually spent most of Saturday organizing and cleaning, glued to the TV in case I needed to make a mad dash to the basement. The rest of the week had been hectic and had taken it's toll on me. On top of that my pc had to be repaired and I didn't have it for 8 days. Oh the horror! I'm behind on Scrapping projects and oh, just about everything else in life... but, the storms managed to give me a new perspective- I can't control everything and I can only control certain things. As always seems to be the case- the day after the storms (today) is going to be a gorgeous day- I'm going to enjoy it...and appreciate it for what it is :) Thanks for hanging in there with me while I was MIA.

I participated in an online crop recently where I made this altered cd. The challenge was to alter a cd and post your completed project in under an hour. This picture of my son's girlfriend and her friends cracked me up. They are to young to remember the TV series Charlie's Angels- yet there they were in it's iconic pose.
I guess you could call this hybrid scrapping, because I searched on the internet for the original Charlie's Angels poster, printed it out in black and white and then cut out the silhouettes. Once cut out I inked over the entire cutout with black Stazon.
I think it turned out pretty groovy.

General Principals

2008-02-28T07:50:00.000-08:00

If I had a motto it would be..do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I'm the person at the grocery store who will reach for something on a tall shelf for someone who can't reach it. I talk to people when waiting in lines trying to say something that will brighten their day. I will drive your kids to school, take care of your dog when you're on vacation or sit with you at the hospital. It's just who I am. I try and see the best in people..but, some days I think that I am naive.

Those of you who know me- know that I invented a "spinning rack" for scrapbook supplies. I knew when I put the first one together that it was a killer idea and that it probably could be profitable. But, I decided to post the step by step instructions for free on Rocky Mountain Hobbies.

The rack was very well received - I got a lot of thanks and even some gifts from people wanting to thank me in the mail. Nearly 50,000 times have the instructions been viewed.

I've had people from Blogs and other Scrapbook Sites contact me asking if they could post the instructions- as long as they linked back to the instructions I had no problem with it. I still don't.

Last week, however, I discovered that a person decided to profit from my idea- without my permission. Not cool. They crossed a line and it's hurtful.

I wrote the person a series of emails and they eventually agreed to stop selling the plans.

What do you think? Was I out of line or do think I did the right thing?

The internet has made it so easy for someone to pass something off as their own. I worry that people will stop sharing their ideas.

Letter Stickers-

2008-02-28T04:42:00.000-08:00

I have a love/hate relationship with letter stickers. I think they are great and am amazed at how many wonderful fonts, colors and sizes they come in...but, I hate when I have a ton of letters left over and I've run out of one of the letters that I need to make a title. So frustrating. Then what do I do with all the leftover letters? They are perfectly fine, no way I am going to throw them away. On top of that every sheet of letter stickers comes with numbers. I rarely seem to use big numbers on a layout- what do you do with all of them? As I continue to put together my dream Scraproom- my organizing led me to see just how many partially used sheets of alphabet stickers that I have...it's not a pretty site. So for this layout I decided to do something about it and challenged myself to use leftover stickers. Each "16" comes from a different sheet of stickers. I like the result- hope you do too.

Paper Weaving

2008-02-22T17:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick and easy tip.... use up left over patterned paper or cardstock strip and weave them together to make a pretty card. I apply a strip of double sided tape at the top fold line of the card and then line up all the strips. Then I begin weaving from the other direction. Finally I adhere the other 3 sides with a liquid glue and trim all the edges to fit the card.

Creature of Comfort

2008-02-20T15:04:00.000-08:00

Have you ever stopped and pondered the little things in life that make you happy? Things that if they disappeared from the face of the earth that you'd miss desperately? It's a great topic for a scrapbook page about you. I had to stop and think long and hard about the things that I need to be "Me".
I really enjoyed this project. First I designed the tage. The inside looks much trickier than it really is....

To create the slots inside I used small envelopes called coin envelopes. I cut the flaps off of the top and then glued them together with just a little glue in the center of each and then attached them to cardstock pocket. The pocket it held closed with self adhesive velcro circles. This same technique can be used with any sized envelopes to create places to hide secret journaling or large envelopes can be put together to create entire albums. I love that it looks so complicated - HA!

The last thing I did was make the cards of the things I can't live without to go inside. Each card is the size of a business card. I just went around the house and took photos! That's our rooster Waddle D! Every time he crows I feel myself grin.
I also can't live without denim and keds - can you tell I'm a country girl yet?
Amazing how much you get to know a person by the simple things they love. Consider
taking photos or things you love and making a layout. I promise you won't regret it
and it's nice to make something about the person who is usually the one behind the camera!

From Trash to Treasure

2008-02-18T05:59:00.001-08:00

I spend a lot of time sitting in my car waiting for my kids. It's gotten so bad that lately I have taken to packing a tote bag with projects I can do in the car. It can't be anything to messy, or that has to many pieces. There can't be drying time involved and it has to be something I stop doing and then later pick back up where I left off. Lately my car project has been making envelopes. All I need to pack is a marker, a template, and whatever materials I want to use to make the envelope.
My material of choice has been empty boxes. So far I've turned boxes from Coco Pebbles, Strawberry Mini Wheats, and Busch beer into fun, envelopes. I have an envelope template. But, if you don't you can always carefully take apart an envelope you have and trace it. This is a great way to get varying sizes!
For working in the car I try and have the envelope traced onto the box before I go.. then when in the car I cut them out and fold them... scoring down hard on all fold lines. A good strong adhesive is a must. I like using E6000, but not in the car!!
The fumes- enclosed space, not a good picture! So I usually wait until I get home to glue and then set something heavy on top while they dry.

So far my favorite is this one made from a box of Cheweez dog treats. I think the little dog looks so cute. I plan on adding a white sticker to the front of each envelope for the actual address. Not bad for free, huh? And boy are they sturdy!
I'm hoping to make more envelopes from things like old calendar pages and shopping bags and leftover wallpaper. It sure beats just sitting there!

Those Were The Days?

2008-02-16T04:55:00.000-08:00

When I first started scrapping I was really involved in Swapping. Oh, how I loved them. You'd sign up for a category or a theme and then what you wanted to make that fit that theme... tags, a topper, a journaling box etc. etc. Then you'd make one for everyone else in your group. Mail them all to a hostess - who would then sort everything and send you back one of everyone else's creations. How exciting it was to get those big fat brown packages in the mail full of unknown scrapping goodies! I was like a kid on halloween with all my goodies sorted and spread out on the floor in front of me!

I am sure that SWAP groups still exist out there somewhere. I currently don't belong to any. Sure they were filled with drama. This person didn't send their things in on time (or sometimes not at all), this person's work just wasn't up to snuff or that person cheaped out on what they were to buy. But, there is something about it that I miss. The exhange of ideas. Once I was signed up for a "slot" in a swap I would begin obsessing about it. (I was partial to doing tags) I would plot and plan and shop for the perfect papers and embellishments to create something I would be proud to share.

Afterall this little piece of me, being sent to Scrappers nationwide might become a piece of a treasured family heirloom. I put countless hours into making and creating unique, can't be bought, original embellishments. Handmade bugs on real sticks with googly eyes, Teeny tiny hand cut and chalked McDonald's french fries, Handwoven minature baskets. These things can't be bought!
Like everything else we've all become caught up in the what's new in the stores mentality. That "got to have it" latest product craze. But, at what price? As
crafters we treasure what we've made and hope that others will too. If even "we" those who craft have foresaken that handmade for that mass produced... who will
cherish our work?

Through swapping I've made friends I hold dear today. Through swapping, I learned to push the creative envelope and try new things. Through swapping I grew a large collection of wonderful things made by women I've never met that I cherish. I look at them and still marvel at home differently we all think and create. Without swapping are we loosing that exchange of ideas? Pictured in the post are some of the things I made for swaps over the years. I would never have made any of them if it hadn't been for a swap and can't help to wonder- what would swapping be like today?
With so many new technique and products available - I think the creations would be amazing. I don't know about you- but, I could sure use a big fat brown envelope in my mailbox full of handmade scrapping goodness. How fun.

Garlands

2008-02-12T13:38:00.000-08:00

I have seen garlands made from Scrapbooking supplies here and there... I had hoped to make one at Christmas time - but, time got away from me. So I made one for Valentines Day.
Before I started I needed a plan .. so I measured the width of our Fireplace and added some extra lenght for swoops and dips. Then I decided to use put my message on large tags. I cut these from manilla file folders and then scrunched each tag up in a ball and smoothed it flat before applying walnut ink.

While the walnut ink dried I used Basic Grey letters as templates and traced and cut out the Be Mine letters. Then I had a blast making each tag. All the patterned paper I used as well as the chipboard buttons are all by Cosmo Cricket. I added some old text from an old book and inked and stained and sanded my way to romantic aged effect.

I really enjoyed making the different bottoms to each tag and picking out the ribbons to adorn each letter.
While I had a idea.. I wasn't sure what it would look like all put together until I actually had it hanging up on the mantle. It's a decoration I am sure to put away and bring out each Valentine's Day for years to come.

All the memories- None of the clutter!

2008-02-09T07:31:00.000-08:00

I loved this Valentine! He didn't make it in school or for any type of assignment. He simply snuck up to his bedroom and made it from what he had... and that fact that he shared candy ..well, that was unheard of!
I wanted to save the memory- but, there was no way I could save the Valentine. So I photographed the actual Valentine! This is a great way to save the memory without the clutter! I also stood on a kitchen chair to take the photograph of him holding his gift to mimic the feeling of him handing it to me. Me being much taller!

Valentines....

2008-02-05T06:50:00.000-08:00

I've been busy creating 15 cards for a Valentine Swap. To make the cards I used cute, cute stamps from Poppy Ink. The scallop across the bottom is a stamp that I used as a guide to cut the edge and then used punches to enhance. The bird in it's cage is another darling stamp that I stamped in black and then head embossed with black embossing powder. I watercolored the background of the card... this caused the paper to curl- but, a quick pass with my iron took care of that! The rubons are from a flea market- 10 cents a sheet... Whoo Hoo! Finally the word "tweet" is cut from Cosmo Cricket paper using the Base Camp cartridge for my Cricut! TFL!

Scrapping Bug

2008-02-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

It's February and I've got the scrapping bug! One of the first crafts I can remember working on was a decorated valentine box for school. Somehow the thought of Valentines Day makes me want to create! I've started a bunch of projects and am so excited by them- that I keep hopping from one to the other. I can't wait until everything is done. Do make valentines? I think the homemade ones are the best!

I almost forgot....

2008-01-31T12:31:00.001-08:00

My life has become insanely busy all of a sudden. Broken cars - up to 6 carpool trips a day- chairing committee's- house guests- you name it! So busy in fact that I forgot to pick up pictures I put in to be printed weeks ago! Usually I stand there and wait because I am so excited to get them back- forgetting that they were there is a definate sign that I am trying to do to much. That and the fact that I found the cordless phone in the refridgerator - but, enough said about that!!

Anyway there amongst my photos were pictures I had taken of my finished wrapped xmas packages. I posted my ideas here on the blog and then forgot to post how they turned out. Big hit! I used brown shipping paper and rolls of twine. All the ribbon I used came from rolls purchased at thrift shops and garage sales! Then I used an old book whose pages had that perfect patina and glued and cut and punched all sorts of designs. I thought they looked pretty cool.

My favorite packages were the ones where I glued on all the snowflakes that I had punched out decorating other packages. Really time consuming- but, Oh la la! Everyone loved the wool snowman ornaments I made for embellishments. Now I just have to figure out how to top it next year!
Sorry I am so late posting the end results.. but, I figure the same ideas could be used for birthdays - how cute with silk sunflowers tied in the ribbon or valentines day.. lots of punched book page hearts! Cute!

Best of Both Worlds

2008-01-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

I'm surrounded by males. Between my husband, my two sons, their friends and my Boy Scout Troop- I recently realized that I have become less and less girly over the years- rarely are my nails polished (what's the point we're camping this weekend)I can't remember the last time I wore a dress (not the best hiking attire) and most of my footwear resembles my husbands. At first I was shocked and a little saddened by this revelation. But, then when I really thought about it- it dawned on me that I wasn't an outsider that I had been warmly welcomed into this manly man world full of
good natured ribbing, weekend adventures and football. And you know what? I like it- it's a blast. No one cares that I don't have a manicure or if my shoes are last season. They like me for me! And when there is a reason to put on the ritz and go girly the looks on their faces is priceless- I think I've got the best of both worlds.

Quilling & Stuff...

2008-01-23T10:31:00.000-08:00

Some scrapbooks are amazing and beautiful because of their perfectly matching coordinated pages. Other scrapbooks are amazing because of how different and unique each page is from the others. Personally, as a scrapper I tend to want to try something new and different on each page. New techiques, new products, new ideas are what really float my boat. However, coming up with new ideas and techniques all the time can be challenging. I'm always reading magazines or books for inspiration. For
example we recently went to the Aquarium and I have a bunch of really cool photos of sea life that I am dying to scrap.

A while back I purchased a childrens Klutz book all about Paper Quilling. It came with the strips of paper, glue and eyes and instructions on how to make all sorts of cool sea creatures as well as instructions and product for lots of other nifty things. I searched and searched my patterned papers and nothing seemed liked the right background so I tried another new technique. On watercolor paper I used watercolor pencils and drew the sea.
If you've never tried these pencils- they are so fun and awesome to work with. They go on like a regular colored pencil but, when you add water on top of what you've colored it turns into watercolor as if you had painted it! I love the effect.

When I find time to work on the Layout- I'm ready to go and there is nothing else in my scrapbooks like my new little google eyed sea friends!

Cardinals

2008-01-21T05:01:00.000-08:00

We have 2 bird feeders on our back deck outside my kitchen window. I love watching them and am always trying out new seed and other bird treats to see what kind of birds we can attract. It's always exciting to have a new visitor. We get out the bird field guide, identify the new bird and then mark it in another book - Our bird lifelist. This book is a list of all the birds we've seen in our yard or at our feeder since we moved here.

My favorite visitors have to be the Cardinals. There are some days where there
are up to as many as 25 bright red male cardinals here at the same time. Some at the feeders and others waiting in the trees for their turn to eat. It amazes me how bright and colorful they are- turning barren winter trees alive with color.

Then in the spring when their babies hatch the fun really begins. Little cardinal families start arriving at the feeders. The babies are awkward and their feathers are molting and funny looking- but, it is the Daddy cardinals that touch my heart as they take feed from the feeder and feed their children beak to beak.

These redbirds have become an important part of our families routine, brightening each day.

Grunge!!

2008-01-18T12:13:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this? Sometimes I order things just on "gut instinct". Something I haven't seen in person or that I know little about. Sometimes my hunchs are flops- but, when they aren't.. YIPPEE! Today I got such an order. Grungeboard by Tim Holz.
LOVE IT !!!!! Imagine if you took craft foam and mixed it together with chipboard.. then poured it out and embossed it before cutting alphabets and shapes into it... and you have Grungeboard. It looks like chipboard.. but, it's totally pliable!! Super Duper cool!

This Bites!

2008-01-16T07:38:00.000-08:00

Somehow I managed to go from having a minivan and a spare minivan to having NO van at all. I am stranded.
You've seen my earlier post about my eggplant van rolling into a tree...well my other van has decided to stall whenever you brake or stop- so now it's in the shop too. Arghhhhh!
Eggplant due back sometime Friday- Verdict still out on the Silver One.
This would be bad enough- but, my oldest son started college (commuting) last week and is missing classes and it's my week in the carpool rotation for son number 2 and there is an ice storm coming and I am out of groceries etc. etc. etc.
What's a Mom to do?
Scrap of course! There on the porch waiting for me when I came home from dropping Van 2 off at the garage was the most lovely site- a UPS package! And inside was something even more exciting....

:::gasp::: Those of you who have a crop-a-dile are no doubt grinning from ear to ear- those of you who don't have one..let me tell you about this puppy! It punches holes- multiple sized holes. Into cardstock, into paper, into fabric, leather, plastic and thin metals, so easily it's like you are cutting butter. It silently then sets eyelets, in multiple sizes and grommets, even BIG grommets--SILENTLY. What makes my new toy better than the original crop-a-dile? Well it can do all of this anywhere on a 12x12 page. Even in the center! AND it sits on the desk for hands free operation or you can use it in a handheld fashion. AND there are no parts and pieces - it's self contained. You just spin this and spin that and set the guide and you are all set! Love it!
Ahhh gee!
No car?
Guess I will have stay home and play all day! :)

As promised..

2008-01-14T09:21:00.000-08:00

Well I did it! I made myself focus and one project and although I'm not finished I am pleased with my progress!
I LOVE working on this new Rusty Pickle Acrylic Album. So much fun! Pictures behind..paint on top. The ideas I have for this new medium are staggering. I can't wait to try more things.

Here are a couple of inside pages:

This was fun! Pictures and paper adhered to the back of the clear page... dimensional paint used for the "splats" on the top of the clear page! Pretty Groovy!

Rubons of smeared paint made a great impact on this page. The skull and word extreme are that new Junkitz transparency ribbonz with paint applied to the back.
Hope you like the album... more to come!

Panic

2008-01-13T04:52:00.000-08:00

For me the creative process is a slow one. I'm amazed by scrappers who can sit down at a table and crank out page after page. In the amount of time it takes some scrappers to do a double page layout it takes me just to decide what paper to use.
I think I have scrappers ADD.

Right now I am so far behind on things I have to scrap. 8 projects that should have been done yesterday. I begin planning one and then get an idea for another and then another and nothing is getting completed. ARGHHHHHHHHH! I am beginning to panic.

I just need to pick a project and get rolling with it and forget about the rest until it's done. Yeah- that's the ticket. I also need to commit to completing something today- so here it is in typing. I PROMISE to POST a FINISHED project to this page by the end of the DAY!

I'm Back :)

2008-01-08T05:02:00.000-08:00

I'm back in more ways than one. We had a fabulous Christmas and New Years visiting family and friends out of state. Which of course means I came home to stacks of laundry and piles of Christmas gifts needing homes. Which of course went straight into cleaning out closets and sorting of things no longer needed. Which had me buried- organizing things left undone for far to long. While I thought I would be back to having my daily free time by the 1st proved to set me back a week. I apologize- but, I am obstacle free now and plunging head first into a new scrapping year!

I have a list of New Years Resolutions when it comes to scrapping and an even longer list of ideas fit for 2008!

Without further ado- Paper piecing! This fun and fabulous technique has somehow gotten pushed to the wayside. Why, oh, why? Without a doubt it one of the most vesatile and budget conscience techniques in a scrappers arsenal. It's a resolution on my list to paper piece more! Maybe it isn't the "in" technique at the moment-but, I vow to stick to my guns and bring it back into my scrapping this year.

This title page in an album I did for my Mom is a perfect example. I had so much fun piecing it together and thought it looked spectacular. (if I do say so myself) and I dare you to find anyone else who has one exactly like it! A bonus is that I made it entirely from scraps. The total cost was a little glue! Now how can anyone beat that?

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-23T04:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays everyone! We're going to have an extremely hectic schedule over the next week so I won't be posting. I'll start up again January 1st! Hope everyone has a fun, safe, holiday season. Merry Christmas!

Best Laid Plans...

2007-12-20T14:35:00.001-08:00

Just when I thought I had a handle on Christmas shopping, just went I was nearing the end of my baking, just when I was beginning to dare to imagine that I would be ready in time.... CRASH! My van decided to attempt suicide. Nobody was driving- it was just parked in the driveway like any other ordinary day and it decided to roll it's way over the driveway, down the hill and into a little tree.
The tree is fine.. barely a scratch. The van needs thousands of dollars of repair.
So instead of crafting or baking or shopping I am now getting estimates for auto body work and paint jobs. I was angry and feeling sorry for myself...but, then we got a phone call that changed everything.
My husband is on vacation this week- but, his work keeps calling him on his cell phone to ask oh so important questions. Yesterday after an auto body trip his phone went off and he ignored it-- "Oh, go ahead and answer it", I said, knowing full well that he wanted to- a man on the other end wanted to know directions to a job site and didn't realize Don was on vacation. I asked who he was and Don told me a little about him.. things like "Nice Guy" and "Good Worker." This morning my husband got a phone call that, that same man passed away last night. Talk about putting things in perspective. I think I will feel blessed no one was in or in the path of my van when it decided to take it's stroll and be happy with what I do get accomplished for Christmas instead of being frustrated with what isn't done. It's going to be a very Merry Holiday as we are all happy, healthy and together.

Gifts for Friends

2007-12-18T06:12:00.000-08:00

The inside of the lunchboxes are home to a Moms Emergency Kit.

Each kit has Vaseline, WD-40, Balloons and Hairspray and a list of what you can do with them.

Vaseline- It's an instant lip-gloss and moisturizer, soothes sunburn or diaper rash, shines shoes, removes adhesive bandages painlessly and helps stuck zippers glide.

Aerosol hairspray- Halts a run in panyhose, removes ink stains, laminates kids artwork, doubles as a craft glue, and will exterminate the bumble bee that refuses to leave your minivan.

Balloons- Fill with cold water for an instant cold pack for bumps, bruises or broken bones. Makes an instant game of impromptu soccer or volleyball or a science lesson on static electricity.

WD-40- Quiets a squeaky stroller wheel- Fixes a bum wheel on a shopping cart. It also removes chewing gum from hair, crayon marks from walls and stickers from just about any surface.

These are small enough to tuck into a purse, beach bag or leave in a glove compartment.

Cookies!

2007-12-15T05:54:00.001-08:00

Today I'll be busy baking cookies with the help of both my son's and my oldest sons' girlfriend Anna. We are planning on being a baking machine. I love taking baked goods to friends and neighbors. I've been doing it for years and last year when I just didn't get them made there was almost an uproar as people have come to depend on me bringing them. Who knew?
Over the years I've made cookies out of paper too! For the title above I used seed beads as "sprinkles" and a product called Glass Effects to hold them in place.
For the recipe page below I used paper clay. I used real cinnamom on them before I baked them then sealed them with a clear sealant. I loved the way they turned out and while they make a big impact on my layout they weigh next to nothing. Really Fun!

Plan Ahead

2007-12-14T03:21:00.000-08:00

For really great holiday layouts think about photographs you'd love to have before the big day arrives and make a mental list or even write it down. It's so easy in the excitement and hustle of the day to forget to take some of the shots you were hoping to snap.
For the layout above I wanted to scrap about my Father In Law and how all his Grand kids gather at his feet as he reads about the first Christmas from the Bible. Shots on my list for this year include:

1). Cookies - there are a bunch of cookies that have been holiday traditions in our
celebration and this year I want to get pictures of the actual cookies themselves
and of people baking them.

2). Santa's cookie plate - cookies partially eaten, crumpled napkin and all.

3). Kids sleeping in their beds on Christmas Eve.

4). Stuffed Stockings along the mantel.

5). Special ornaments hanging on the tree. I may have everyone hold up their favorite
ornament and tell me why they love it so much.

6). The piles of wrapping and bows that collect on the floor after the unwrapping
frenzy.

Think about what makes your holiday celebration uniquely your own- in my opinion this is what makes a layout truly great!

Embellishments

2007-12-13T03:41:00.000-08:00

I've been making things from felted wool for years. It's a craft that I am drawn to again and again. This week while watching TV in the evenings I've been making these
cute snowmen! I will use them on packages tied in with my bows, they can be hung as ornaments, or used for embellishments on Scrapbook pages or Christmas Cards.

I purchase wool clothing (skirts yeild the most wool) from Thrift stores, bring it home and felt it and then use it for my wool creations. The pattern was found in a Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Crafts magazine.

If you like the look of felt in your scrapbooks I think this takes it one step further- with a much more professional, finished appearance. Better yet, the average
skirt can be purchased at a thrift store for under $3.00! Making it a very thrifty craft material.

Best of all - you'll have darling embellishments made by you!

Christmas Magic

2007-12-12T04:57:00.000-08:00

Last year I made globe ornament cards for my Mom and my In-laws. They were so much fun to make. Inside each ornament is a rubberband that makes the "magic". The WOW factor is that the ornament card folds flat into the envelope- but, when you pull it out - it magically springs into a globe or ornament form!

To decorate the outside of the card I used my Cricut to cut out a variety of cute
Christmas related characters and used flat embellishments so that when mailed I wouldn't have to pay for hand cancelling. Which not only is more expensive, it causes delays in mailing. I also used rub-ons for the greeting, but a rubber stamp
would have worked just as well.

The globe ornaments were a big hit with both families hanging them on their trees.
I would love to make more of these in the future- but, with family photographs and a more elegant theme. I think it would be awesome to make these each year with photographs of the years' family highlights.

My cards this year have a different kind of WOW - thanks to my husband who last weekend suggested that we stop in the town of Bethlehem, GA and mail my cards. There they postmark them with a big cancellation from Bethlehem, complete with a Nativity
Scene.

Paper Piercing

2007-12-11T07:41:00.000-08:00

I am constantly amazed by all the different ways to work with paper and nothing thrills me more than learning about and trying new techniques. This morning I tried my hand at paper piercing for the first time. I am astounded that something as simple as pushing holes into paper can produce something so delicate and beautiful.

To make this dove ornament I used your run of the mill white cardstock that you buy where copier paper is sold. It's acid free and you get 400 sheets for under $5.00.
I could have cut the pieces for at least 2 birds from a single sheet! Now that's a bargain.

To make the holes I first tried using a regular sewing needle- but, my gripping fingers quickly tired. Then I tried using a push pin with more comfort
and success.

An important thing to remember is that the "right" side isn't the side
of the paper where you put the pin in- but, the back side where the little bump is
formed. I also ended up putting a cork coaster underneath the paper while I was piercing, a mouse pad would work just as well.

I really enjoyed this technique and can see it being used in to many ways. Subtle and elegant- perfect for wedding layouts and embellishments. With a zero cost factor
paper piecing is a keeper in my bag of tricks.

Little Gifts

2007-12-10T14:30:00.000-08:00

This weekend I started concentrating on "little gifts". By little gifts I mean those for people you want to say a little thank-you to or for those you want to do a little something for to show you care. This weekend in between a zillion Mom's taxi runs I worked on making Santa Candy Bar Jackets.

I'm tickled at the way they turned out. The pattern for the Jacket is by Windows of Time. I used Cadberry Dark Chocolate bars- removed the wrappers and got busy. It felt like Santa's Workshop with a dozen bars all lined up in various stages of production. Don't you love when you have a gift you are excited to give? I have to warn you - making these becomes an addiction. The more I made the more people I thought of who deserved a little chocolate. I see another Candy Bar Jacket Day in my near future.

"Tis the Season to be Crafty!

2007-12-09T07:53:00.000-08:00

Whew- I've been busy lately making all sorts of things for the holidays.
Including these cool chipboard ornaments. The chipboard and paper is
by Cosmo Cricket. I just glue the paper to the chipboard, trim and sand the edges with a fingernail file and add some Tim Holtz Distress Ink to give them a look of age. Then I add a little copper glitter and a cool copper hanger. I bought a box 1000 copper "fasteners" at an estate sale for $1.00. I have no idea what they are really for... maybe paperclips. But, I think they give my tags an extra cool touch.

I am thinking of using them as gift tags on my packages and wrapping my packages in brown shipping paper instead of printed gift wrap and using torn strips of fabric in place of ribbon. We'll see. Time is ticking and I have yet to purchase gift 1! Eeek.

Dreary Winter Day

2007-12-07T05:38:00.000-08:00

As soon as the sun came up this morning you could tell it was going to be one of those day gray days. Winter is definately here. Part of me is glad because it has been so warm and sunny that I can't get into the Christmas spirit. Another part of me misses the sunshine. So I thought I would bring a little summer to my blog today.
This layout is from a trip we took to the beach. We love to catch blue crab! As a scrapper I have always done my own layout and design work.

This crab layout is the first time I have ever worked from a sketch and I loved it! Using the sketch allowed me to focus more on my paper choices and embellishments and took some of the guess work out of designing. If you've never used a sketch you should try it. You can find a bunch of awesome sketches here:

http://gallery.rockymountainhobbies.com/showgallery.php?cat=620

What a Hoot!

2007-12-05T06:56:00.001-08:00

This year for Christmas Cards for a swap group I participate in every year I made Santa Owl Cards. Over the years I've done everything traditional and wanted to make something different that nobody else would do. I tried to jazz him up a bit- with a glittery beak and by using velvet paper for his hat, wings and legs and a faux leather paper for the branch. I like him- he makes me grin. The inspiration for the card came from a lone, wrinkled old bar napkin, probably from the 70's I found when helping my Mom move. You never know where an idea will come from if you alway keep your eyes open.

Gift Scrapping

2007-12-04T05:06:00.000-08:00

I think we often forget that scrapping isn't just about fabulous layouts and clever design. We need to remember that sometimes the most special ideas are about the way we group and preserve memories. This year for Christmas I am giving my sister a small album full of nothing but Christmas memories and traditions. It dawned on me recently that no matter what has been going on in our lives, no matter where we have moved that we have spent every single Christmas together- even if it has been just for a day or a few hours. This is quite a feat considering we live over 700 miles apart from one another!

For this small album I don't have time to put together intricate magazine worthy layouts- but, I do have time to include photographs of everyone in the family- those that are with us still and those that we have lost and a little something about them and how they have made our holidays special.

In between certain pages I've also included recipes from family members featured in the album that have become a special part of our tradition.
I made sure to make the album expandable so that I can add pages as our family continues to grow and as new traditions are formed.

Using binder rings as my binding allows not only for expansion, but the book can lay flat when opened and recipe cards can be removed when being used.
It may not be my best scrapping as far as critics are concerned- but, it is definately one of my favorite things I have ever scrapped. I'm hoping my sister will love it as much as I do and that it will become something she will pass down to my neice so that she can carry on some of our traditions and will remember exactly who they came from and where they started. For me- this is what scrapping is truly about...this is why I scrap.

Rick Rack

2007-12-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

I love Rick-Rack! There is just something about it that says handmade. Usually we use it in a straight continuous line. But, what happens if we cut it apart? For some of my Christmas Cards this year I did just that... cut and cut and cut in the center of every other "bump" (or are those ricks??)

By staggering them I was able
to create what I think is a very charming Christmas Tree. It takes 10 ricks per tree. I kind of like the plain, simple country look of my card- but, there is a part of me tempted to decorate the tree. Maybe some sequins? Or maybe some packages under the tree. My youngest son thinks it needs a star at the top of the tree. For now I am content with keeping it simple.

Sometimes less is more!

All that Glitters

2007-11-30T09:51:00.000-08:00

When I was little my Grandma had an entire village of little glittery houses on a table near her Christmas Tree. I loved those houses and spent hours playing with
them- so I made a tag to bring back those memories. I had fun applying all the glitter. I haven't made anything with glitter in years!

I am hoping to carve out some time to make 3-D house ornaments for my tree.
A search on Ebay found photos for inspiration.
Another search produced a template!
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2000/la_1200_wintervillage.pdf

Holiday Magic

2007-11-28T05:22:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a great time to add a little sparkle. This photo was taken as I was putting away Christmas decorations and our cat Allie decided that the center of a wreath was a perfect place to take a nap. To play off the twinkle of the antique ornaments on the wreath I adhered sequins to the layout!

Not Myself ...

2007-11-26T12:58:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much for your kind posts! I'm in a funk and they sure helped. Maybe it's the rainy, dreary weather, maybe it's because I had my birthday and am another year older, or it's the fact that my scraproom despite everyone's best efforts still isn't complete. Who knows- it's probably a combination of all the above- but, I've got the blues and a killer sinus infection. Makes a girl just want to stay in bed- but, there's carpool to run, dinner to cook and mountains of laundry and that nagging feeling in back of my mind that I had better get started on Christmas.

Hopefully, I will snap out of it soon! I'm forcing myself to make Christmas cards for a swap and they make me smile. Scrappin' therapy at it's best.

Thankful

2007-11-22T03:13:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for so many things! I'm especially thankful for a day that makes me slow down a bit and take time to really think about all the reasons in my life to give thanks.
One of the things on my "thanks list" is for you who stop by and read my humble blog. Writing a blog is a new experience for me and while I truly enjoy it I find it a struggle sometimes because it can feel like no one is here.
So if you stop by today and have time please leave me a post. Just say "Hi" or let me know what you like about the blog or what you'd like to see me post more about.
I'd honestly be thankful for your input.

Getting Ready

2007-11-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else cooking Thanksgiving besides me? My menu is planned, the groceries are bought and today I plan on setting the table and making pumpkin pies. I can hardly wait for the house to be filled with the smell of Thanksgiving. Ideas for
scrapping would be to make up slips of paper and have everyone in your family write on them what they are thankful for- then read them at the table and save them for
your journaling!

If I have time I plan on making the adorable Turkey Centerpiece pictured. I found it on MarthaStewart.com. It's printable! You can find the instructions here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/paper-turkeys?lnc=e49fdc53f03ee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=collage_holiday_thanksgiving-holiday-crafts_p9

Chugging Along!

2007-11-20T10:31:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the gap in posts... I've been rearranging furniture and had the pc taken apart for a bit. I'm coming along on my Scrapping room and still shooting for the
24th as my completion date. I'm also learning to be patient. The bases for my new work surfaces took my husband 9 days longer than he said they would. Then once they were done and it was time to cut the plexiglass top- of course he needed a new saw blade and that took 3 days to purchase. :::sigh::: In his defense he's been working some really long hours lately. Boy is there a lot to organize in a scrapping room!
I'm discovering lots of things I forgot I had, which is never a bad thing and sort of a freebee in my opinion. Speaking of Freebee's one of my favorite things to do on my layouts is to embellish them with things I find laying around the house. On the layout below I used a piece of train track that was bent and no longer usable. Keep your eyes peeled for things around your house you can use for your scrapping! It's a way to be original without all the work of making something.

Freebee Alert!

2007-11-17T06:24:00.000-08:00

Have you seen these? Last night while frantically trying to buy groceries for the Boy Scout camping trip I spied these across the room and my heart actually skipped a beat! So cute! Can you imagine the scrapping possibilities! At $1.00 a piece you could alter one while drinking another. Fun!
I found mine at Walmart- but, they are sure to be turning up everywhere!

2007-11-16T06:32:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if it's a compliment or a curse. But, if you are a scrapper eventually family and friends start expecting and hoping for homemade items for gifts. Hand created cards are a must, followed by hand crafted gifts and gift tags and oh so clever wrappings.
The thing is that I truly like making presents for everyone- it's just that there aren't enough hours in the day. Oh, sure every year right after the holidays I vow to begin making things right away for the following year- but, of course that never happens and then I want to wait and see what the new products will be and the next thing you know Thanksgiving is less than a week away and the panic sets in. That's where I am now... trying to think of things that will:

1). make my Mom cry (that's how we know she REALLY likes it)
2). make my Mother in Law happy (because I love to find her just the right thing)
3). give my Father in Law a chuckle
4). do something truly spectacular for my Sister (my biggest scrapbooking fan)as
well as finishing up the layouts I promised her I would do months ago.
5). put together something for my neice to keep her intrest in scrapping going!

Eeek! So in honor of my stressed out scrapping holiday to do list today I'm posting
a tag idea so you can get up jump on your list!

I'm getting there!

2007-11-14T06:43:00.000-08:00

If you read my blog regularly then you'll remember that a few weeks ago I made a disappointing trip to Ikea to purchase four of the table legs pictured. When they were out of stock my husband offered to make them for me. Well I am happy to report that they are done and are exactly like the ones from the store! I've painted two and yesterday hauled them upstairs to my scrapping room. Then I removed the antique glass doorknob from one of the old doors I bought as "desktops" and placed it on top. I couldn't be more pleased and can't wait to get the other one upstairs and into place. The next step is to install the plexiglass tops. Boy is plexiglass expensive! On top of the my husband will need a special saw blade to cut it so that the "edges" are nice. The redo of my scrapping space is my birthday gift. So I'll reveal pictures of the finished room on my actual birthday- November 24th! I hope you'll like it as much as I think I am going to and that you'll find some storage and organizational tips that you can use in your scrapping space.

10 Reasons

2007-11-12T06:25:00.000-08:00

Here's quick gift idea... Make an accordian mini album about 10 reasons why you love something. For example- 10 reasons why we love Grandpa. What grandfather wouldn't love to receive that? It's quick it's simple and definately a crowd pleaser. Ready made accordian album with coordinating papers help. But, it's easy to make your own accordian album too. A search on the internet will give you lots of ideas. My example is an album I made for my son that features our dog, his loyal sidekick and ever so faithful companion.

The inside of the album will come together quickly if you let your photographs help you to decide the reasons that you Love something. Study your photographs and the reasons will come to you quickly. Using your own handwriting for the journaling also speeds up the process and gives your album a personal touch.

One of the things I like best about making a 10 things album is you get to finally use up some of those number stickers we all have hanging around! For a nice finishing touch be sure to tie a ribbon around the entire album.

Veterans Day

2007-11-11T09:10:00.000-08:00

Today is Veterans Day and this morning my sons were the color guard at church. They carried the flags, posted them and led the congregation in the Pledge of Allegience.
They looked so confident and proud dressed in their Boy Scout Uniforms. I was proud.
I kept thinking that my Dad would have been even prouder and how much I wished he was still living so he could see them.

My Dad served in World War II. Fresh out of High School he joined the Navy, where they sent him to school and he became a Photographer. He took photographs of many historical events and was even an aerial photographer that hung outside of airplanes taking pictures of terrain so that maps could be made.

I looked at my oldest son this morning and couldn't even imagine him doing things like that at his age- yet he's the same age my Dad was.

This year my Mom moved into a smaller place and passed on to me all the family memorabilia. Six of those huge blue plastic tote boxes packed full. Included in them are my Dad's photographs from the war.

They've been passed to me and entrusted to me as the one who "will know what to do with them." What a daunting title! Yes, I scrapbook. But, this is different. Where do I even begin to sort through and make sense of entire lives? How can I do them justice? So for now the boxes still sit. Unsorted and untouched. I would love to scan and make albums for my siblings and my Mom I just don't know what computer program to use or where to begin. Have any of you taken on a task of
this magnitude? Any ideas of suggestions would be so welcome!

I'm At the Cybercrop!

2007-11-10T11:44:00.000-08:00

If your lurking around the internet today and want something fun to do.. come by
the message board on RockyMountainHobbies.com. Today's the Holiday Gift Cybercrop.
Free step by step project ideas, games and challenges! Prizes too!
I'm up to my eyeballs in projects today- so I'm only half here. Ha!
The legs for my tables are being completed as I type this and in between my
duties at the cybercrop I will be staining them and doing laundry and cooking
dinner and........well- you get the picture! Ohh I almost forgot- you have until Midnight, Sunday, November 11th to get your projects posted to the gallery. Winners
are all selected by random drawing- so everyone has the same chance of winning!!

Yard Sales

2007-11-09T10:47:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I am posting a bit later in the day than usual. Fact is that after I dropped my son of from school I just couldn't ignore the yard sale signs along the drive home.

The first sale I stopped at I found some great things. A box of Congratulations banners for $1.00. I will for sure be using these at my oldest Son's Eagle Ceremony in January. A book called "Pipe Cleaners Gone Crazy"! I can never resist a good craft book and this one shows darling things like Penguins and Bees made by just twisting the right colored pipe cleaners in the right directions. I've always thought that Pipe Cleaners had to have some use in scrapping- so not so long ago
I bought boxes of them on clearance- maybe now with the help of this book I will figure out how I can use them in the scrapping world. Then I found and grabbed a belt identical to one my oldest has that my youngest always "borrows". The $1.00 price tag was a bargain for peace.

Then I continued on to the 2nd Yard Sale. Where the only thing I purchased is my find of the day. There on a table were not one, but two styrofoam cones. And they were only 10 cents a piece! I know I busted into a giant grin as I picked them up- because one of the projects for the RockyMountainHobbies.com Holiday Cybercrop on Saturday is making button trees on - you guessed it- styrofoam cones! Sherry Laffoon is teaching the class. Aren't they darling? I just love when you hit a yard sale and find exactly what you need - seriously what are the odds?

2Cute

2007-11-08T11:19:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun idea. Make a vanity plate as a page embellishment. It's a great way to use up letters sticker from you stash!

Early Bird Project Contest

2007-11-07T06:44:00.001-08:00

3D Snowflakes!! Learn how to make this amazing project and enter your creation for a chance to win prizes!! What could be more fun? They are quick easy and any size you'd like them to be!

Use the link below for step by step instructions and your chance to win!

http://forum.rockymountainhobbies.com/showthread.php?t=4682